Police have detained a 50-year-old woman in connection with the deaths of three family members whose bodies were discovered in a forest in Kathiani Sub-County, Machakos County.
The arrest follows investigations into the discovery of the bodies on June 14 in a forested area at Kavalo Village, Kauti Sub-location, Kaeawa Location, police said on Saturday.
Detectives handling the case arrested the woman on Thursday evening.
During interrogation, according to police, the suspect told investigators that she had travelled to Matiliku Market in Makueni County on June 6 to attend a function, leaving behind her 23-year-old son, his wife, who is said to hail from Mwingi in Kitui County, and their two children, aged 10 and school-going pupils.
She told investigators that upon returning home on June 8, she asked about the whereabouts of her daughter-in-law and grandchildren.
According to her account, her son claimed that his wife had left to join a man who had allegedly impregnated her because she was pregnant and that she never returned.
Police said a search of the son's house led to the recovery of a yellow floral bedsheet, a torn grey pair of trousers, a panga and an axe, all reportedly stained with blood.
A subsequent search of the suspect's house led to the recovery of a white blouse and a dark green skirt, which police said were also allegedly stained with blood.
The recovered items have been labelled, entered into the exhibit register and preserved for forensic examination.
Police said efforts are ongoing to trace the husband, who is also being sought in connection with the investigation after reportedly leaving home on June 14 for an unknown destination.
The bodies of two women were found in the forest. Police said one of the bodies had a foetus between the legs at the time it was recovered.
The bodies were in a decomposed state, and police said extensive forensic work was required to identify the victims.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Investigators are also examining whether the killings may be linked to a domestic dispute, although no conclusions have been announced.
The discovery came a day after police recovered a suspected human leg in the same locality, raising concerns that the incidents could be linked. However, investigators have not confirmed any connection.
Investigations are continuing, and police said they are pursuing additional leads in the case.
