A commotion erupted in Mapenzi Estate, Tana River County, when a young woman, Esther Soni (pseudonym), studying at a medical school in Malindi, decided to surprise her boyfriend on April 12, 2023. Little did she anticipate the unexpected turn of events awaiting her.
Soni, arriving from Malindi at 6 am, claimed to have been dropped off at her boyfriend’s residence by a mutual friend. To her astonishment, upon reaching the door, she discovered her mother, adorned with a scarf, opening it. The ensuing dramatic scene unfolded, awakening the curiosity of a few neighbors who were roused by Soni’s mixture of hysterical laughter and wild screams.
Saada Hassan, a nearby resident, recounted hearing Soni question her mother about her presence at the boyfriend’s house while draped in a scarf. The emotional confrontation led to tears, and the mother hurriedly pulled Soni inside, locking the door. The onlookers could perceive a subdued exchange of explanations within the confines of the residence.
The mother and daughter engaged in a heated argument before the boyfriend intervened, restoring some semblance of calm. Shortly thereafter, the mother discreetly left the premises, leaving Soni and her boyfriend behind.
Later, two additional women entered the scene, engaging in hushed discussions inside the house. Insider sources disclosed that Soni, overwhelmed by the confrontation, momentarily collapsed, providing her mother with an opportunity to escape. Mildred Kweche, another neighbor, described the ensuing chaos as Soni resumed her outbursts, vehemently searching for her mother and threatening harm.
The two women attempted to console Soni as her boyfriend exited the residence. Audible from within, Soni recounted how she had introduced her boyfriend to her mother the previous year when he visited her ailing father in the hospital. Ms. Kweche expressed empathy, noting that the family had recently buried their father and was still grappling with the loss when this distressing incident occurred.
Subsequently, Soni, visibly dejected, exited the house with her shoes in hand, followed by the two accompanying women. She boarded a matatu, departing the town. Attempts to obtain a statement from the boyfriend proved futile, as rumors circulated that he had also left town, with his phone switched off.
Soni’s mother, a local school teacher, declined to comment on the matter, leaving behind a lingering air of unresolved tension.
