Family Denies Nakuru Doctor James Gakara Killed His Two Kids, Alleges Foul Play

The family of a Nakuru-based doctor suspected of killing his two children has alleged foul play in the minors’ deaths.

Dr. James Gakara’s kids Dylan Gakara (5) and Karuana Gakara (3) were found dead in his apartment in the affluent Milimani estate on Saturday night.

Gakara, an obstetrician at Optimum Current Hospital in Nakuru, is believed to have injected the two children with an unknown substance, killing them on the spot.

Police said assorted drugs, used syringes, and a sharp kitchen knife were recovered at the scene of the murder, an indication that the minors were injected with a lethal substance.

The kids were found by detectives lying lifeless on their bed, with foam oozing from their mouths while the medic was found lying unconscious on his bed and was rushed to Nakuru Level 5 Hospital where he was admitted and is in stable condition. 

Speaking on Monday, the doctor’s sister Mary Gakara denied police claims that his brother killed his son and daughter then attempted suicide.

She said the family suspects foul play in the investigations, adding that the reports given by first responders were not adding up.

“I know my brother very well. He would do anything to protect his children. He is also not the kind of person to commit such an act,” she told Nation.

“He loves his family and we have never heard of any differences between my brother and his wife. They have always been happy.”

Nakuru County Police Commander Beatrice Kiraguri said preliminary investigations revealed that the renowned doctor injected his children with drugs before attempting suicide.

“The girl’s bedroom had a sharpened knife indicating that if they didn’t die from the drugs their murderer would have probably killed them using the knife,” said Kiraguri.

The bodies of the two children, who studied at Greensteads International School, had no physical injuries.

“Someone wants to frame him in the murders. We want the investigations expedited and everything should be done thoroughly,” Mary said.

“The police told us that my brother had confessed to killing his children but some of those who were at the scene said that he was unconscious when he was picked up and taken to hospital.”

Mary said she was had regular communication with her brother and that he had never complained about any difficulty.

A close friend to Dr. Gakara said he often hanged out with his wife and that both families had dinner together on Friday.

“We had dinner together a day before, and there was no sign that he was disturbed. In fact, we had been talking about expanding our businesses and so this story about him attempting suicide, does not add up,” the doctor said.

Gakara’s wife, a nurse, was away in Nairobi during the incident, and was admitted to hospital for shock, but was discharged Monday.