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Mr Julius Maina, 34, with his two sons who were murdered in Murang'a County, Leon Wanjohi, 7, and Lael Mwangi, 2.
A postmortem report on two Murang’a children aged seven and two, who were murdered in a rental compound on September 19, 2025, has revealed that both bled to death after being stabbed multiple times with a sharp object.
The victims were identified as Leon Wanjohi, 7, and Lael Mwangi, 2. Their brother, aged four, survived the attack with three stab wounds and has since been treated and discharged from Murang’a Level Five Hospital.
According to the autopsy filed at the hospital mortuary and shared with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the injuries were vicious.
“The autopsy findings were that baby Wanjohi had been stabbed through the chest with a sharp object, the force perforating the lungs and extending through to the spinal cord. The cause of death was excessive bleeding,” the report reads in part.
Regarding the death of Lael, the report states that he was stabbed in the chest, the weapon piercing his heart.
“His cause of death was heart failure coupled with excessive bleeding,” it adds.
The four-year-old survivor sustained cuts on the head, chest, and neck. His P3 form, filed by a medical officer, has been handed over to investigators along with his witness statement detailing what he saw.
According to a police signal from Kangema Police Station, the children’s mother Hellen Wanjiku, 30, surrendered herself at Kanorero Police Post while bleeding from stab wounds.
“She did not utter a word, appeared deeply in shock, and our ground contacts directed us to the crime scene… She was transferred to the more secure Kangema Police Station where she is currently being held,” the signal notes.
Her fate will be determined on October 6, 2025, when investigators are expected to file a status report recommending whether she should be charged with murder and attempted murder.
Murang’a County Commissioner Charles Muriithi confirmed that the court has allowed investigators to continue holding her pending the conclusion of investigations.
Awakened by commotion
The children’s father Julius Maina, 34, has since recorded a statement with police. He said the tragedy followed a domestic dispute in the early hours of September 19.
“I feel guilty, my conscience eats at me. It was only a small bed argument at 2 am with my wife that resulted in this tragedy,” he said.
Mr Maina explained that his wife had accused him of betrayal and suspected infidelity.
“She said she was considering leaving me. I told her she was free to go but that wherever she went, she could always come back unconditionally,” he recalled.
He said he fell back asleep, only to later be awakened by commotion in the compound and a female voice shouting at him to “go and pick the bodies of your dead children for burial.”
In a daze, he rushed to a corridor where his three sons lay prostrate.
“Too shocked to think, I touched the body of my eldest son. My third son was still breathing despite bleeding, and he was rushed to hospital immediately. The other two had to wait for police to arrive,” he said.
The two bodies were later taken to Kangema Level Four Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The survivor was transferred to Murang’a Level Five Hospital, where he was treated and discharged on September 24.
Mr Maina says he is now torn between mourning his sons, awaiting his wife’s fate in court, and contemplating the future of his family.
“The matter is complex. My wife is in police custody, and we have been told to be patient until investigations are complete. The children are a loss to me and also a loss to their mother. What can I say?” he asked.
He added: “If police decide to charge my wife, this will be a case against my wife and the mother of my children. How do you even process that? I have a surviving son who is traumatised. He is still my son, and he is still his mother’s son. This is the tragedy.”
The family has scheduled the burial for September 30, 2025, though it remains unclear whether Ms Wanjiku, still in custody, will be allowed to attend.
“I do not want to think about that decision. It is beyond me. I have surrendered it to God, whose mercy and justice are the most reliable,” Mr Maina said.
A roadside eatery operator in Kanorero market, Mr Maina said he is now struggling with Sh450,000 in medical and burial bills.
“We got married in 2017, and for eight years we had no serious marital issues. Then it had to end like this. My God shall guide me through this storm,” he said.
