For the Kabaiko family, grief has arrived in waves. Barely months after burying one son, Samson Kabaiko found himself preparing to lay another to rest, alongside his daughter-in-law and grandson.
The compound where he lives in Githunguri, Kiambu County, is now surrounded by graves of loved ones — a painful reminder of the losses that have reshaped his family.
The latest tragedy came on June 9, 2026, when his son, Kenneth Kamau, a 26-year-old boda boda rider, allegedly killed his pregnant wife, Susan Wanjiru, 22, and their two-year-old son, Samson Kabaiko, before taking his own life.
The killings shocked residents and left relatives searching for answers over what could have driven a young father to turn against his own family.
Family members say Mr Kamau had been struggling with personal problems in the months leading to the tragedy.
They claim he battled online betting addiction, family disagreements and emotional distress linked to the death of his elder brother, Maxwell Kabiru, who died late last year after a road accident involving the two siblings.
Relatives also say Mr Kamau had become increasingly interested in crime dramas on Netflix, which they believe may have influenced his actions. Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the killings.
On the night of the tragedy, relatives say Mr Kamau gathered his family in the sitting room, shared a meal with them and waited for them to retire to bed.
Hours later, neighbours became suspicious after noticing signs of trouble at the house.
“No one heard the screams because he attacked them while they were asleep. Blood stains from the bedroom to the sitting room raised curiosity about what had happened. Neighbours forced the door open and found Susan Wanjiru and her son, Samson Kabaiko, lying inside,” Mary Wanjiru, Susan’s aunt, told Saturday Nation.
In it, he apologised to his wife’s family and said he could not allow his son to suffer in his absence.
“I had to do this. I cannot let you suffer in my absence,” read part of what police believe was a suicide note recovered after the killings.
The note, however, raised questions among relatives, who disputed some of its claims.
They questioned his assertion that his mobile money account contained Sh204,000, saying it did not reflect his financial struggles and debts, some of which they linked to his gambling habit.
Mr Kamau’s father has since declined to discuss the tragedy, saying reopening the events was too painful.
“Allow me not to revisit the matter. It is painful and brings back bad memories,” Samson Kabaiko told Saturday Nation.
His silence is understandable. In a short period, he lost two sons, a daughter-in-law and a grandson.
The deaths came after Mr Kamau had already been struggling with the loss of his elder brother, Maxwell Kabiru, who died after the two were involved in a road accident on Thika Road. Mr Kabiru was the pillion passenger while Mr Kamau was riding the motorcycle.
Relatives say accusations that Mr Kamau had played a role in his brother’s death weighed heavily on him. The Githunguri killings were preceded days earlier by another family tragedy in the Kiganjo area of Thika Town, Kiambu County.
On June 6, 2026, Martin Kamau, 34, is said to have called his estranged wife, Phyllis Wambui, 30, asking her to come home and prepare food for their two sons, Terence Waweru, 4, and Talan Kamau, who had recently turned six.
An undated family photo of Martin Kamau, Phylis Wambui, and their two sons, Terence Waweru and Talan Kamau. Police said Mr Kamau allegedly lured Ms Wambui to prepare a meal for the children before attacking the three with acid. He later died by suicide.
Photo credit: Pool
The couple had separated after what relatives described as a difficult period in their marriage, with Mr Kamau living with the two boys.
Police say Ms Wambui and her children were attacked inside the house before Mr Kamau took his own life. Investigators reported signs of a struggle, including scattered clothes and damaged household items.
To outsiders, however, the family had appeared happy. Their social media posts showed moments of togetherness, masking tensions investigators say existed behind closed doors.
The incidents have renewed concerns about family conflicts, emotional distress and the warning signs that may precede extreme violence.
Kiambu County has previously witnessed other high-profile cases involving violence within families, including that of Lawrence Warunge, a university student accused of killing his parents, an adopted nephew, his brother and a farm worker in 2021.
In an initial statement to detectives, which he later withdrew, Mr Warunge allegedly said the killings had been influenced by a movie he had watched.
The case raised questions about what drives people to commit violence against those closest to them. His family later opposed his release on bail, citing fears over alleged threats against surviving relatives.
Mental health professionals say such incidents rarely arise from a single moment but often follow a build-up of unresolved emotional distress, relationship difficulties and other pressures.
Ann Mwangi, a counselling psychologist, says many families struggle to identify unhealthy patterns in relationships until they escalate into crisis.
She identifies gaps in emotional awareness, communication, parenting, relationship boundaries and access to support systems as some of the issues that leave people vulnerable.
“People should be allowed to express themselves and be guided towards a professional registered counsellor who can support them on their wellness journey, just as we would take someone to a licensed medical practitioner for a physical injury,” she says.
Ms Mwangi says families and communities have a role in identifying changes in behaviour that may signal deeper struggles.
She cautions, however, that not everyone experiencing emotional difficulties becomes violent, and that support should focus on helping people seek assistance rather than stigmatising them.
