In an incident that has left the residents of Ndiwa market in Kericho County in shock, a 30-year-old man reportedly killed his wife and attempted to take his own life, as well as that of his young daughter, following suspicions of infidelity. The grisly crime, which took place on the evening of August 23, 2024, has sparked widespread concern and raised questions about the factors leading to such extreme domestic violence.
According to Londiani Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Agnes Kunga, the suspect, whose identity has not been revealed, strangled his 22-year-old wife to death using a rope after suspecting her of having an affair with a neighbor. The couple, who lived in a rental house at the market center, had reportedly been experiencing marital issues stemming from the husband’s suspicions that his wife was engaging in an extramarital affair while he was away.
Kunga detailed the sequence of events leading to the tragic incident, explaining that the man had been away from home on the day of the murder. However, he received a call from another neighbor, informing him that his wife had been seen entering the neighbor’s house. The suspect, fueled by anger and jealousy, returned home immediately and found his wife in the neighbor’s house. Although he did not react on the spot, the man later asked his wife to return to their house with their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
Once inside their home, the situation took a deadly turn. Overcome by rage, the man used a rope to strangle his wife until she died. In a further act of violence, he then forced his daughter to ingest poisonous chemicals, attempting to end her life as well. After committing these heinous acts, the suspect consumed poison himself and fled the scene.
However, the agony caused by the poison was unbearable for the suspect, leading him to call the police and reveal his hiding place. “We found him having vomited a lot and in critical condition,” OCPD Kunga said, recounting how the police were able to locate the man. He was immediately rushed to Londiani sub-county hospital, where he remains under guard as a murder suspect. The police managed to save the child, who was also taken to the same hospital for treatment and is currently receiving care.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the small community, with many struggling to comprehend the sequence of events that led to such a tragic outcome. Domestic violence, particularly stemming from issues of trust and infidelity, remains a significant concern in many parts of Kenya. This case highlights the extreme measures some individuals might resort to when faced with perceived betrayal, turning to violence rather than seeking help or attempting to resolve conflicts peacefully.
The police have launched an investigation into the case, aiming to uncover more details about the events that transpired before and during the murder. Authorities hope that the suspect will recover so that he can face justice for his actions. “We are hoping that he survives so that we charge him in court for the murder,” Kunga stated.
As the investigation continues, this incident serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved marital conflicts and the importance of addressing issues of mental health and domestic violence in society. The Kericho community is left mourning the loss of a young woman and grappling with the trauma inflicted on her child, who now faces a future without her mother and with the scars of her father’s actions.
In the wake of this tragedy, community leaders and social services are urged to step up efforts to provide support for those facing similar challenges, to prevent such occurrences in the future.
