Kenyan Mother Arrested for Allegedly Poisoning Her Three Children in Machakos
Police in Kenya have arrested a woman identified as Linet Munala for the alleged murder of her three children in a tragic incident linked to domestic strife. The bodies of the children—one-year-old twin girls and their four-year-old brother—were discovered inside a single-room house at Neema Plaza in Mlolongo Phase III, Machakos County, on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Discovery of the Tragic Scene
The children were found lying in separate beds, with foam emanating from their mouths, indicating possible poisoning. The apartment was in a state of chaos, with scattered food, children's stationery, uniforms, and clothes strewn all over the floor. According to police reports, it is suspected that the poison, believed to be a mixture of Vim detergent, had been mixed into porridge given to the children.
Background of the Incident
The incident is alleged to have occurred on the night of January 25 or the early hours of January 26, following a violent domestic dispute over the weekend. Neighbors reported that the parents had been arguing, with the mother suspecting her husband of infidelity. The matter was reported at around 1 p.m. on Monday by the caretaker of the residential building, Rose Anai, after she received a disturbing text message from the suspect.
Arrest and Investigation
The suspect, Linet Munala, was later traced and arrested while attempting to escape. She is currently being held at Mlolongo Police Station as officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) conduct a thorough investigation. The police have documented the scene, collected samples for analysis, and removed the bodies to the City Mortuary for post-mortem examinations to determine the exact cause of death.
Neighbors' Accounts
According to the caretaker, Rose Anai, the suspect sent a cryptic message to a neighbor, directing them to go to the house in her company. "She wrote a message to her neighbour directing that we go and see what had happened in her house," Anai told The Standard. Alarmed by the message, Anai mobilized other tenants and headed to the house, where they found the door wide open and the children deceased.
One neighbor who received the message recounted, "When I went to the house, she told me that her husband's friend called and told her that he was running late in Nairobi, and she started saying that her husband was cheating on her." Another neighbor attributed the tragedy to the woman not sharing her marital struggles with others, leading to misunderstandings.
Ongoing Developments
This heartbreaking case highlights the severe consequences of domestic disputes and the importance of mental health support in communities. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the children's deaths and ensure justice is served.
