Kirinyaga: Family Of Mum Who Died With Daughter Says She Was Devastated After Lover Remarried

• A vibrant young woman's life was cut short alongside her ailing daughter, leaving their family and community in profound shock and sorrow
• Maureen Wangui had been grappling with profound emotional turmoil after allegedly being abandoned by her partner, who had remarried
• Wangui's mother, Irene Micere, recounted the agony her daughter endured, highlighting her battle with depression exacerbated by the rejection

Kirinyaga county was plunged into mourning following the sudden deaths of Maureen Wangui, a 29-year-old nutritionist, and her five-year-old daughter, Precious Wairimu.

How was the Wangui's upbringing?

The serene atmosphere of Kabiroini village was shattered when the bodies of Wangui and her daughter were discovered in the turbulent waters of the Nyamindi River.

Wangui, described as a bright and ambitious individual, had grown up in Kabiroini village, bringing pride and joy to her parents with her academic and professional achievements.

However, beneath her cheerful exterior, Wangui harboured deep-seated anguish, exacerbated by personal and familial challenges, NTV reported.

According to Wangui's family, her mental state had deteriorated significantly after she was allegedly abandoned by her partner, who had reportedly remarried.

Wangui left to raise child alone

The family further pointed out that the partner had left her to grapple with the responsibilities of caring for her ailing daughter without the support she desperately needed.

Irene Micere, Wangui's mother, recounted the painful journey her daughter had endured, from the excitement of impending motherhood to the crushing blow of abandonment and betrayal.

"She was brought up very well, lacking nothing, but she had her problems which made her life miserable. We tried all we could to help her overcome them, but finally, she took a direction that left us badly shaken," said her mother, Micere.

"When my daughter gave birth, her lover used to visit her regularly and even bought clothes for the baby together with his parents," she added.

Struggling with daughter's illness

Despite her family's efforts to provide solace and support, Wangui's anguish persisted, ultimately culminating in a tragic decision that left her family reeling with disbelief and sorrow.

The sequence of events leading to the fateful day of May 4, 2024, revealed the depth of Wangui's despair.

Struggling with the burden of her daughter's illness and the emotional fallout of her partner's remarriage, Wangui found herself engulfed in a whirlwind of anguish and hopelessness.

"When my daughter got information that her lover had married another woman, she became very bitter, she felt cheated and betrayed. That is when her condition became even worse," Micere explained.

Wangui's family intervenes

Her family's attempts to intervene, including seeking medical assistance and offering emotional support, proved futile in the face of Wangui's escalating distress.

Tragically, her silent struggle with mental health reached a devastating conclusion on that fateful day by the Nyamindi River.

"Sometimes she would abnormally keep so quiet, refuse to talk to us, and threaten to leave home for a journey of no return," recounted Micere.

"At one time, after supper, our daughter became violent and wanted to leave home at night together with her baby. I snatched the baby from her and told her that she would not go anywhere. After my husband talked to her, she cooled down and agreed to stay at home," added Micere.

Expert chimes in on mental health

In light of the mental health case, TUKO.co.ke spoke to Roselyne Kigen, a practising marriage and family therapist who works with clients to improve mental health conditions.

Kigen shared insights on how to approach and assist those struggling with mental health and people who exhibit mental health symptoms.

"When someone is grappling with suicidal thoughts, it's vital to offer them a safe space to express their emotions without fear of judgment. Simply being there to listen can make a significant difference," she pointed out.

She further stressed the need to validate individuals' feelings as it can help them feel understood and less alone in their experiences.

"It's crucial to ask individuals if they're considering self-harm and whether they have a plan in place. This information enables us to gauge the severity of the situation and take appropriate action," said Kigen.

According to her, when someone is in immediate danger, it's imperative not to leave them alone.

Nyeri medic dies alongside daughter

In a similar incident, a young medic and her daughter tragically passed on under unclear circumstances.

Shiro Ka Ribui, also known as Mama Bella, reportedly harmed herself alongside her daughter Bella.

An active social media user, the mother of one regularly updated her status before she stopped and resumed publishing disturbing posts.

It is not clear what transpired leading to the tragedy that has left Nyeri residents in shock and disbelief.

Ribui seemed to have resorted to seeking help from friends online, with various posts painting a grim image of her mental state before death.

How to create mental health awareness

If you are struggling with your mental health, here are some emergency hotlines that you can reach out to for help when overwhelmed:

• Befriender’s Kenya- +254 722 178 177
• Niskize- 0900 620 800
• Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation- 0800 726 253
• Oasis Africa- +254 366 614 / +254 110 826 23
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - +254 739 935 333/ +254 756 454 585
• Mental Wellness Kenya- +254 717 234 621

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.