This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
On July 9, 2020, Justice Richard Mwongo ruled that Beatrice Mwende, a woman accused of murdering her four children, be transferred to Mathare Mental Hospital for treatment.
A medical report from Gilgil Mental Hospital, where Mwende was taken for mental assessment, revealed that she had underlying mental health issues.
Prosecution counsel Alex Ndiema had sought orders to hold Mwende for two more days due to the prevailing Covid-19 conditions, but the court directed that she be remanded in Naivasha Annex prison until Thursday, when she would be charged with murder.
The murdered minors were Melody Warigia (8 years), Willy Macharia (6 years), Samantha Njeri (4 years), and Whitney Nyambura (2 years).
During an emotional burial ceremony, the family denied that the suspect was depressed or had any financial constraints.
