This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
On June 26, 2020, a horrific crime shook the town of Naivasha, Kenya. Beatrice Mwende Kimothoi, a 42-year-old mother of six, allegedly killed her four children, aged between two and eight years old.
The victims were identified as Melody Warigia (8yrs), Willy Macharia (6yrs), Samantha Njeri (4yrs), and Whitney Nyambura (2yrs). They were students of Milimani primary school.
According to reports, Kimothoi spent two days in police cells before being arraigned in court. During her plea, she claimed to have been possessed by evil spirits and controlled by her ex-boyfriend.
She stated that on the night of the incident, she and her children had supper together and watched TV before the children went to bed. However, she claimed that evil spirits took over, and she strangled her children one after the other.
Kimothoi also alleged that her ex-boyfriend, whom she parted ways with last year, would control her actions, ordering her to do 'queer things' during their relationship. She claimed that on every 26th of the month, she would be possessed by evil spirits, forcing her to commit deeds she was not in control of.
Kimothoi's lawyer sought more time to hold her in custody, citing the need for a mental assessment and further investigations. The case is set to come up for hearing on July 6, 2020.
