A heartbreaking incident has shaken residents of Kiharu, Murang’a County, after a 24-year-old woman allegedly drowned her two young children in River Mathioya. The children, aged seven and one, reportedly met their tragic end on Wednesday evening, leaving the community in deep shock and grief.
According to area residents, the woman was seen heading toward the river with her children before disappearing for several hours. When she returned alone, concerned neighbors questioned her about the whereabouts of the children. It was then that she allegedly confessed to having thrown them into the river.
Local authorities and divers from the county disaster response team have since launched a search and recovery operation to retrieve the bodies. However, as of Thursday morning, the efforts had not yet yielded results due to the river’s strong currents and high water levels.
Murang’a County Police Commander confirmed the incident, saying the suspect has been taken into custody and is assisting detectives with investigations. He added that the motive behind the shocking act remains unclear, but preliminary reports suggest the woman may have been struggling with personal or psychological issues.
The community has been left devastated, with leaders calling for increased mental health awareness and support systems, especially for young mothers facing emotional or economic hardship.
“It’s a very painful and disturbing tragedy. We urge families and neighbors to be more vigilant and to offer support when someone appears overwhelmed,” said one local leader.
This tragic event adds to a worrying rise in domestic-related killings and child abuse cases in the country, raising questions about the accessibility of mental health care and social support services for struggling families.
Authorities are continuing their search for the bodies and have assured the public that justice will be pursued once investigations are complete.
