Embu businessman murders son, attempts suicide

Police vehicle moves the body of  six-year-old boy who was stabbed to death by his father following a domestic row. [JOSEPH MUCHIRI/STANDARD]

Embu, Kenya: An Embu businessman stabbed his six-year-old son to death and attempted to commit suicide Tuesday morning in Bonanza Estate following a domestic row.

Robert Edward Mukuria, 50, is alleged to have killed Pius Mukuria then ingested a poisonous substance but survived.

Embu West OCPD Francis Sang' said the suspect's wife fainted on discovering the foul murder and is recovering at the Embu Level Five Hospital, where the unconscious husband is also admitted.

The OCPD said the couple had a domestic quarrel with the wife and on Monday. The husband went home with the child but the wife did not go home fearing the wrath of her husband.

"In the morning, she reported to police that she suspected that the child was not in safe hands. Police escorted her to the house and found the child dead. He was stabbed on the neck using a knife," he said.

Sang' added that the suspect was unconscious after vomiting and was rushed to hospital.

He said they could not immediately establish the actual cause of the dispute since the wife and the suspect were unconscious but added investigations into the incident have commenced.

Curious onlooker stormed the house to get a glimpse of the body. They condemned the incident and wondered why the man resorted to killing an innocent child.

Sang' urged spouses involved in disagreements to find amicable solutions or seek support instead of harming others He said the suspect would be charged with murder and attempted suicide when he recovers.

The body of the child was removed to the mortuary in the same hospital.