A young mother in Kirinyaga County has reportedly taken the lives of her two young sons in a horrific act of violence.

Grace Wambui, a 20-year-old woman, allegedly threw her four-year-old and three-year-old children into a swamp, leading to their tragic deaths.

The incident occurred in the village of Maithairu, where a contractor had left a man-made marsh open after harvesting murram.

According to Kirinyaga West Sub-County Police Commander Moses Koskei, the killings followed a domestic dispute between Wambui and her husband.

Residents of the village, led by Thomas Kabuci, whose land the swamp is located on, discovered Wambui and her children near the water. When they asked what the problem was, Wambui revealed that she intended to commit suicide and kill her sons after her husband kicked her out of their home.

“I could not believe it after I talked with my family, who provided them with porridge and spoke with her before I went to buy airtime to call her family,” Kabuci recounted, visibly shaken by the tragedy.

Kabuci stated that he was returning from Kiandai Shopping Centre to buy airtime when he discovered the woman being beaten by residents after she had thrown her two children into the swamp.

Michael Mwangi, a fisherman at the swamp, witnessed the harrowing scene unfold. He raised alarm after seeing Wambui throw her children into the water one by one. Mwangi, who was fishing two kilometers away, rushed to the scene but was unable to intervene in time to save the boys.

Pastor Peter Munene, a family friend, arrived at the scene shortly after the alarm was raised. He revealed that Wambui and her husband had been experiencing domestic problems, which may have contributed to the tragic events.

“Mental problems are real, and we will continue with counseling despite Wambui killing her two children,” Munene said, emphasizing the need for support and understanding in such difficult situations.

The two children’s bodies have been taken to Kerugoya mortuary for postmortem examination, while Wambui was beaten by villagers and taken to hospital before being transferred to Baricho Police Station, according to police commander Koskei.

“We have commenced investigations after the woman was taken to the hospital,” Koskei stated, assuring the community that the authorities are working to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident.