Body of Child Whose Mother Jumped Into River Retrieved

Authorities have retrieved the body of a 5-year-old girl who was strapped to her mother’s back when she threw herself into river Nyamindi in Kirinyaga County.

According to Gichugu sub-county police commander Johnson Wachira, the body of the child identified as Precious Wairimu was discovered at Gichogo village on Saturday, May 4 night.

Residents fetching water from the river are said to have spotted the body floating inside.

“We are working together with the local residents to see the body of her mother, Maureen Wangui is discovered,” Wachira said.

Woman Jumps into River Nyamindi, Kirinyaga

The incident unfolded at Kabiro-ini village in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, on May 4 after a 29-year-old woman threw herself into River Nyamindi with her child strapped to her back.

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The family said they woke up on Saturday morning with shock when they found out that their beloved family member had jumped into the river.

The woman’s uncle Stephen Maembe said she was seen by a security guard at Kainamoi a nearby coffee factory throwing herself into the river. The guard later raised alarm before informing the authorities.

“My brother’s daughter, Maureen Wangui Munene threw herself in the river with her daughter strapped on her back,” Maembe said.

“We are grieving, and we are appealing to the government to help us recover the bodies of our loved ones.”

It was not clear why Wangui made the decision that left Kabiro-ini villagers in shock.

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Family Narrates Lat Moments of Maureen Wangui

The family said Wangui who hails from Embu and had visited her grandparents in Kirinyaga sneaked out of their home and disappeared unnoticed.

“When I woke up, she was washing clothes inside the compound. I went to the bathroom to take a shower but when I came back, I did not find the girl. She threw herself in the river Nyamindi,” Ngombo Kuruma, Wangui’s grandfather said.

Her grandmother Fridah Njoki said Wangui, and her daughter had come to visit, leaving her parents, who are civil servants in Embu County.

“She was a very good girl and her baby too. I do not know why she decided to throw herself in the river,” her grandmother said.

The body of the girl has been taken to Kibugi funeral home as residents continue searching for the body of Wangui. 

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