Woman, 25, kills two-year-old daughter before dying by suicide in Murang’a

A family in the Kangari area in Kigumo constituency, Murang’a County, is mourning after a 25-year-old woman killed her daughter before dying by suicide.

Like many Kenyans, Jane Nyambura had visited her parents’ home in December for the festivities, celebrating with relatives and friends for about two weeks.

On the eve of the New Year, Nyambura took the life of her child, Tianna Kabutha, before ending her own, leaving the town in shock.

Esther Njeri, her mother, explained that she left her second-born daughter at home with her granddaughter in the morning and headed to Kangari market, where she trades.

“She was very jovial, always happy and laughing, and was very social,” Njeri tearfully explained.

At around 6:30 pm, she received a call from a neighbour asking her to urgently return home

She was shocked by what she found at her rental house.

Nyambura’s body was hanging from the ceiling, while the child lay dead with stab wounds.

Njeri told The Star that nothing in her daughter’s life had suggested she was struggling.

Njeri’s last-born son, who is in Grade Nine, had spent the day at home with his elder sister and saw her holding a rope.

He asked her what she intended to do, jokingly asking if she planned to harm herself.

Nyambura dismissed him, handed him Sh200, and instructed him to go to the market to buy a pair of shoes.

The boy left, returning later to find the door locked; keys were left hanging from the lock. He opened the door, saw his sister, and ran to the neighbours for help.

Catherine Wanjiru, a family friend, said Nyambura had seemed fine, though she had been jobless since graduating with a finance degree in 2024.

“She lived in Kasarani and had worked at a mattress shop,” Wanjiru said

Friends and relatives have begun visiting the home to offer condolences and support.

Wanjiru said the humble family will struggle to organise burial ceremonies for both and appealed for assistance from local leaders and the county government.

She also called for more job opportunities, noting that some youths lose hope after completing their studies and failing to find employment.

John Njoroge, Nyambura’s cousin, urged young people to seek help when facing difficulties.

“If someone comes to you seeking help, don’t dismiss them. You may just save their lives.”