EMBU, Kenya — Police have launched investigations into a suspected murder-suicide after a couple was found dead in Kamweli Village, Makutano, Mbeere South Constituency, Embu County.
The deceased were identified as Christine Mbene, 31, and her husband, Lucas Muthusi, 32. Authorities suspect Muthusi killed his wife before taking poison, although investigators have yet to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragedy has left residents in shock and raised fresh concerns over domestic violence cases in the region.
Speaking after viewing the bodies in Ngurubani, Kirinyaga County, Christine’s mother, Esther Kanini Musyoka, said her daughter had stopped responding to phone calls after Muthusi informed her that he wanted to discuss an undisclosed matter with both families.
“I was shocked to see the lifeless bodies of my daughter and her husband in a police vehicle,” Musyoka said.
She believes her son-in-law killed her daughter before taking poison shortly afterwards.
A neighbour, Triza Njeri, said Muthusi is suspected to have attacked his wife with an axe before ending his own life.
“She was my friend. On Wednesday she left her daughter with me because she wanted to take her Grade Three child to a salon in Makutano, but found it closed. She was a beautiful, friendly lady, and her husband was my former schoolmate,” Njeri said.
According to Musyoka, the couple had been married for five years and are survived by two young children.
She further revealed that her daughter had previously reported domestic disputes involving her husband at Makutano Police Post, raising questions about whether earlier interventions could have prevented the tragedy.
Police officers visited the scene and moved the bodies to a mortuary pending post-mortem examinations.
Investigators are expected to interview relatives, neighbours, and other witnesses as part of efforts to establish the events leading to the deaths.
The incident adds to growing concerns over cases of domestic violence and intimate partner killings in Kenya, with rights groups continuing to urge victims to seek help early and authorities to strengthen response mechanisms.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to report to the nearest police station as inquiries continue.