Family seeks answers after two sisters die mysteriously

Sisters Kathleen Nkatha Murugu and Fredah Kinanu Murugu who died mysteriously. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

In the quiet village of Inara, Meru County, the mysterious deaths of sisters Kathleen Nkatha Murugu and Fredah Kinanu Murugu cast a haunting shadow over the community.

Known for their inseparable bond, the siblings' sudden demise remains shrouded in mystery, and has left locals and family members bewildered and fearful.

As investigators delve into the peculiar circumstances surrounding their deaths, the duo's tragic end has left a large, tight-knit family mourning and ignited a quest for answers.

Kathleen Nkatha, 61, was a resident of Washington DC in the United States of America.

She came to Kenya last year during the festive season to celebrate with her family. Once in Kenya, Nkatha travelled to Migori County where she booked a hotel to stay in, unaware that this decision would lead to an unexpected tragedy.

It was in the quietude of her hotel room on December 27, 2023, that Nkatha's journey took an unexpected and tragic turn.

The hotel manager where Nkatha was staying found her unresponsive in her bed. She was then taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

"Kathleen's kindness and warmth touched everyone she met, leaving a legacy of love that time cannot erase," said John Rutere, the family spokesperson.

Following Nkatha's death, her sister Fredah Kinanu, 58 years old, embarked on a sorrowful mission to retrieve her sibling's lifeless body and checked into a hotel in Migori for a night.

The following morning, Kinanu woke up feeling unwell and went to Migori County Referral Hospital seeking treatment.

She was attended to, but in a tragic turn of events, she also passed on barely two days since the death of her sister Nkatha.

"What was shocking to the family is that they accepted the death of the first sister (Nkatha) but Kinanu's was unexpectedly a huge tragedy," said Mr Rutere.

The family of the two sisters is now grappling with uncertainty as they await postmortem results to unravel the cause of their deaths.

The delay in receiving conclusive results has intensified their distress.

Family members have since expressed concern, insisting that neither Nkatha nor Kinanu had exhibited any apparent signs of illness and were in good health.

Nkatha had three children, with one child deceased; while Kinanu had four children. The two women were described as pillars of strength in their families.

"In the wake of the tragic passing of Kathleen and Fredah, two strong and loving mothers, their legacy lives on through the unwavering dedication of their children," Mr Rutere noted.

The two sisters will be laid to rest today at Muthiani Primary School in Meru County.