Woman Kills Her Four Children, Takes Own Life in Tragic Bid to Punish Husband, Leaves 8-Page Suicide Note

In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the Githogoro community in shock, a 35-year-old woman, Monicah Ndung’u, allegedly killed her four children before taking her own life in what appears to be a calculated act of revenge against her husband.

The tragedy unfolded in their modest home in Githogoro, an informal settlement near Runda, Nairobi, on the night of February 11, 2025.

According to reports, Ndung’u’s husband, John Mbugua, returned home past midnight to a chilling silence. After knocking repeatedly and receiving no response, he forced his way into their semi-permanent house, only to discover the lifeless bodies of his three young sons—Jayden Mbugua (4), Jaxen Ndung’u (2), and Jasper Kangethe (1.5)—hanging from door frames, strangled with household items like curtains and mosquito nets. Nearby lay the body of his wife, who had also taken her own life.

The scene was described as “horrific” by Samuel Wachira, a family friend and first responder, who recounted the harrowing details to local media. “The children seemed to have been killed in quick succession,” Wachira said. “It was a sight no one should ever have to witness.”

The Suicide Note

A handwritten, eight-page suicide note was left on the table, detailing Monicah’s frustrations, anger, and emotional distress. In the note, she accused her husband of neglect and infidelity, claiming he had abandoned their family emotionally and financially. She wrote that she wanted him to “feel the pain of loneliness” and blamed him entirely for her drastic actions.

“I am the one who has killed my children, and I take full responsibility. Do not pretend to mourn us. You left us long ago,” one section of the letter read.

She also issued specific instructions for her burial, demanding that her husband not attend her funeral and that she be buried within three days. The note contained derogatory remarks directed at her husband, accusing him of infidelity and neglect.

Marital Struggles and Warning Signs

Neighbors revealed that the couple had been facing serious marital issues for years. Friends described Monicah as withdrawn and often appearing stressed, but no one expected such an extreme outcome.

“She was a quiet woman, but you could tell she was deeply unhappy. They argued a lot, and sometimes she would even leave the house for days,” said a neighbor, Lucy Wanjiku.

Family members disclosed that Monicah had recently sent her younger sister a series of messages expressing her hopelessness and resentment toward her husband. However, no one imagined she would resort to such a horrifying act.

Mbugua, a social media influencer and community mobilizer, admitted that their marriage had been strained in recent months. He described his wife as an introvert who often accused him of cheating, allegations he consistently denied. “We had our challenges, but I never imagined it would come to this,” Mbugua said, fighting back tears. “Her actions seem premeditated—she even sent her niece away before doing this. She wanted to leave me struggling and depressed.”

The couple had been married for nearly a decade, having tied the knot in a church ceremony in 2015. Despite their struggles, Mbugua expressed disbelief at the extent of his wife’s actions. “All the things she wrote in the note are not true, but she has indeed written them. Sometimes men suffer in silence,” he said. The family has since decided not to honor her burial demands, choosing instead to focus on healing and seeking justice for the children.

Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Gigiri Deputy Police Commander Fredrick Alata confirmed that Mbugua would be summoned to provide further details about the circumstances leading up to the tragedy. The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Kenyatta University Funeral Home for postmortem examinations.

Community leaders, including area chief Barnabas Masakhalia, have called for greater dialogue and support for families facing marital challenges. “It is saddening to discuss this matter because these are people I knew well,” Masakhalia said. “The solution to marital problems is never violence or taking lives. We must learn to communicate and seek help when needed.”