A family dispute that reportedly began with allegations of marital infidelity ended in one of the most heartbreaking tragedies to shock residents of Mlolongo, Machakos County, in January 2026.
Linet Munala, a 28-year-old mother, was arrested after her three young children were found dead inside their family home at Neema Plaza, Mlolongo Phase III. The children, who included four-year-old Adrian Ochieng and his one-year-old twin sisters, Kyla Ann and Keilah Kerubo, were suspected to have died after consuming poisoned food.
The incident sent shockwaves across the country, particularly after reports emerged that the tragedy followed disagreements between Munala and her husband, Alex Mogeni, over allegations of infidelity.
According to media reports, the couple had reportedly been experiencing marital difficulties, with tensions escalating over claims that Mogeni was involved with another woman.
What made the incident particularly devastating was that the three children, who had nothing to do with their parents’ disagreements, became the victims of the unfolding family crisis.
Allegations of Infidelity Deepen Marital Conflict
Reports indicated that the couple’s relationship had been strained by disagreements, with allegations that Munala had received information suggesting her husband was involved in an extramarital affair.
One report indicated that she allegedly received information about her husband’s whereabouts while he was in Nairobi. She reportedly became suspicious after learning that he was running late and began questioning whether he was seeing another woman.
The couple’s family members later disclosed that their marriage had been experiencing difficulties. In fact, relatives reportedly said elders had been involved in attempts to reconcile the two just days before the tragedy.
Disturbing Discovery Inside Their Mlolongo Home
According to a police report cited by The Standard, the incident is believed to have occurred on the night of Sunday, January 25, or in the early hours of Monday, January 26, 2026.
The children’s bodies were discovered inside the family’s single-room house at Neema Plaza in Mlolongo Phase III.
The discovery was reportedly triggered by a disturbing message Munala sent to a neighbour, asking her to visit the house alongside the building’s caretaker.
The message raised alarm, prompting caretaker Rose Anadi to mobilise other tenants before proceeding to the apartment.
Upon entering the house, they found the three children lifeless, with foam reportedly coming from their mouths.
The scene was heartbreaking, and police were immediately alerted.
Investigators suspected that the children had consumed poisoned food, with preliminary reports suggesting that a toxic substance might have been mixed into their porridge. Samples were collected for further examination.
Mother Arrested After Allegedly Fleeing
Following the discovery, Munala reportedly left the residence and went into hiding.
Police officers later traced and arrested her in connection with the deaths. She was subsequently held at Mlolongo Police Station as detectives continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
During her arraignment at Athi River Law Courts, police were granted 14 days to detain her as investigations continued.
A postmortem examination reportedly established that the three children died from poisoning. However, additional samples were forwarded to the government chemist to establish the specific substance involved.
Heartbreaking Reaction From Children’s Father
Perhaps one of the most emotional moments following the tragedy was the reaction of the children’s father, Alex Mogeni.
When he attempted to address the media, the devastated father reportedly struggled to speak. Overwhelmed by grief, he broke down in tears, unable to put into words the pain of losing all three of his children.
His relatives and close friends also expressed shock, with family members appealing for a thorough investigation to establish what had happened.
The tragedy left many Kenyans questioning how marital disagreements could end in such devastating circumstances.
For Adrian, Kyla and Keilah, life had barely begun. The four-year-old boy and his one-year-old twin sisters had an entire future ahead of them, but their lives were tragically cut short.
Their deaths also sparked conversations about domestic disputes, emotional distress and the devastating consequences of allowing marital disagreements to escalate.
While the allegations surrounding the case remain subject to the legal process, one thing is undeniable: three innocent children lost their lives, leaving behind a grieving father and a family struggling to understand the tragedy.
May Adrian, Kyla and Keilah rest in eternal peace.
