The Linet Munala poisoning case has left a quiet residential area in shock after a mother allegedly mixed poison into her children’s porridge, leading to their deaths. Police arrested Linet Munala, a medical officer at Marie Stopes Kenya, on Monday at her home in Mlolongo Phase 3. She’s now locked up at Mlolongo Police Station as officers piece together what led to the heartbreaking incident.
Neighbours say it happened in a small single-room apartment where the family lived. Linet, in her 30s, reportedly prepared porridge for her three young children – the oldest around school age, the youngest still a toddler.
She laced it with a poisonous substance, according to early police reports. The kids ate and soon fell ill. By the time help arrived, it was too late. All three passed away despite efforts to save them.
What pushed her to this point? Sources close to the investigation point to a heated domestic dispute. Linet had apparently received a phone call about her husband’s alleged infidelity while he was away in Nairobi.
Her husband Alex Mogeni‘s infidelity led to the death of the children. The argument escalated over the phone, and in a moment of despair, she turned on the children. When officers arrived, the place told its own story – scattered clothes, kids’ books and uniforms everywhere, food spilt, and remnants of the poison still sitting on the table.
Rose Anami, the caretaker at Neema Plaza where the family rented, spoke to reporters at the scene. She pointed out the suspected poison container, shaking her head in disbelief.
“This is a quiet block,” she said. “Families come and go, kids playing outside. No one saw this coming.” Other residents gathered in small groups, whispering about the tragedy. Some wiped tears; others just stared at the ground.
Linet works as a medical officer, with connections to Marie Stopes mentioned in connection to her job. That detail adds another layer – someone trained to help and heal, now accused of the opposite. Police took her in without resistance. She’s cooperating as they question her, but formal charges are pending autopsy results and further tests on the substance used.
The news spread quickly through the close-knit community along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway corridor. Mlolongo is home to many working families, people commuting to the city or running small businesses.
On Tuesday morning, a heavy silence hung over the estate. Parents held their kids a little tighter, dropping them at school. “How do you explain this to your own children?” one mother asked while waiting at a bus stop.
Authorities in Machakos County confirmed the arrests and deaths. They promised a thorough probe, including looking into the family background and any history of disputes.
Domestic issues like this aren’t rare, but ending in such loss hits different. Support groups for women in crisis have weighed in, reminding people that help is available through hotlines and counsellors.
The husband rushed back from Nairobi once word reached him. Details on his side remain private for now, but the pain is clear for everyone involved in the death of his children. Losing three children at once – no parent should face that, no matter the circumstances. For now, the estate mourn together, hoping answers bring some closure.
Police say they’ll update as more comes out. Linet remains in custody, facing what could be serious charges. In a place full of everyday hustle, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder – problems at home can spiral fast if no one steps in to help. People here just want peace for the children who didn’t make it. And maybe, in time, lessons that prevent another family from breaking this way.
