A tragic incident in Nakuru county has claimed the life of a one-year-old girl after she and her mother were overcome by smoke and carbon monoxide fumes from a charcoal stove used inside their home.
The event occurred on Friday, July 24, in the Nyonjoro area under Lanet Police Station jurisdiction in Nakuru North Subcounty. The mother, aged 23, had been cooking beans using a charcoal jiko inside their rented house with all doors and windows closed.
The child's father arrived home at about 3:20 pm to find the house sealed. Upon opening a window, he discovered his wife unconscious and struggling to breathe in the sitting room, with their daughter unresponsive beside her. Neighbours rushed to assist, and the toddler was taken to Nyonjoro Health Centre where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The mother was also admitted to the same facility and is currently in stable condition. Police investigations indicate that the mother likely suffered severe carbon monoxide poisoning, leading to unconsciousness while holding her daughter.
The toddler's body was transferred to Annex Nakuru Farewell Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. Authorities have cautioned the public against using charcoal stoves or other fuel-burning devices in poorly ventilated spaces due to the lethal risks of carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas.
Related Incident in Uasin Gishu
In a separate case on the same day, a toddler aged one year and eight months drowned in an open well at a family compound in Langas, Uasin Gishu county. The child had wandered off while playing, and despite immediate search efforts, was found deceased in the well. The body was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary pending post-mortem.
Police urge parents and guardians to maintain vigilant supervision of young children and secure hazardous areas such as open wells to prevent similar tragedies.
