Woman hangs self after poisoning her two children

Two children are fighting for their lives at Koru Mission hospital after their mother forced them to take poison.

Josephine Chepkorir Rotich allegedly served four-year-old Bramtom Kipkurui and Abigail Cherotich,6, with acaricide before committing suicide.

Kipkelion Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Peter Omondi said the woman, who had also taken the poison, decided to hang herself on a tree outside her house.

According to Omondi, the minors were rushed to the hospital by their older brother Duncan Kipkoech, 20, who found them unconscious.

"The children have been stabilized and are out of danger," said Omondi.

He said they were yet to establish the deceased's motive since she did not leave a suicide note.

"The woman was alone with the children. Her husband works in neighbouring Nandi County. We are yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident," said Omondi.

The police boss said the body was moved to St Vincent Hospital Mortuary.

Pastor Allan Kiombe of Jesus Center Ministry said the incident was a call to the church to intercede for the local community.

"We also need a counsellor to take their services to the villages to help people can cope with whatever is troubling them," he said.