Mombasa man in custody after wife and child killed in alleged family attack

A 14-year-old child is receiving treatment after allegedly surviving a knife attack that left the teenager's mother and another child dead in Mombasa.

Police have detained a man identified as Richard Matiko in connection with the deaths, which occurred at a house in Shauri Yako, Mkomani, in Nyali.

According to a police report from Kongowea Police Station, the incident followed a family dispute, although investigators have yet to establish what triggered the confrontation.

The teenager reportedly escaped from the house despite suffering serious stab wounds.

A member of the public later helped the injured child reach Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, where the teenager is receiving treatment.

The survivor is now a key part of the investigation as detectives work to establish what happened inside the family home.

Suspect later walked into police station

Police say Matiko later went to Nyali Police Station and reported the incident.

Officers were subsequently led to the house, where they found the bodies of a woman and one of her children.

The police report alleges that the suspect had attempted to conceal the body of the child in a pit latrine.

Investigators further allege that he tried to move his wife's body to the same location but was unable to do so. Her body was instead reportedly wrapped in a mattress and left inside the house.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged disposal attempts have not yet been independently established.

The bodies were taken to the Coast General mortuary pending post-mortem examinations.

Police probe family dispute

Detectives are now investigating what happened before the alleged attack and whether there were earlier signs of conflict within the family.

Police have not publicly established the motive.

They are also expected to document the injuries suffered by the surviving child and examine evidence from the house as part of the investigation.

The post-mortem examinations will help establish the cause and manner of death of the two victims.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigators continue gathering evidence.

Questions remain unanswered

The case leaves several questions for investigators.

What exactly happened during the reported family dispute? What preceded the alleged stabbing? And what led the suspect to report himself to police after the incident?

Those questions will have to be answered through the ongoing investigation and, if charges are filed, tested through the court process.

For now, police have not announced any murder charge or presented the suspect before court.

The surviving teenager remains under medical care as the investigation continues.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.