Police in Dukana, North Horr Constituency, Marsabit County, have arrested four family members in connection with the heartbreaking murder of newborn twins, just two days after their birth. The twins, a boy and a girl, were believed to have been suffocated on Monday night, barely a day after their mother was discharged from the hospital.
The twins were born on Sunday in perfect health, but their tragic demise raised suspicions among locals. Dukana Assistant County Commissioner (ACC), Nazarin Njuki, confirmed the death on Monday, stating that the mother was discharged from the hospital on the same day, only for the infants to be found dead hours later.
The community’s concern grew when the area chief received a tip-off from locals about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths. The chief then contacted the father, who claimed that the twins were fine. However, further investigations painted a darker picture. This led to the arrest of four family members, who have been identified as the main suspects in the case.
The ACC revealed that the incident is being treated as a homicide, with the family members under intense questioning. Authorities have now sought court orders to exhume the bodies of the infants for a thorough post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death.
Initial investigations indicate that the deaths may be linked to a traditional belief held within the Gabra community, where firstborn twins are considered a bad omen. It is feared that this cultural practice may have contributed to the tragic deaths. During questioning, the mother denied involvement in the killings, and police are focusing their efforts on understanding the influence of this belief on the family’s actions.
ACC Njuki condemned the harmful cultural practice, calling for an end to retrogressive beliefs that put lives at risk. “Such practices have no place in modern society. We must value human life above outdated traditions,” Njuki emphasized. The mother has been taken back to the hospital for intensive counseling and psychological support.
As the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) prepares to take over the case, police are maintaining a watchful presence at the burial site to ensure no further tampering with evidence.
