Reunited Kakamega twins appeal for psychological help

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The identical sisters whose emotional reunion after being separated at birth captivated Kenya in 2019 have revealed that the joy of finding each other has come with years of psychological distress, prompting a public appeal for professional counselling and emotional support.

Ms Sharon Mathias and Ms Melon Lutenyo, popularly known as the 'Kakamega Twins', made the appeal on Saturday during celebrations to mark International Twins Day in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, where they joined dozens of other twins in commemorating the annual event, observed during the first week of August.

While many twins spend a lifetime nurturing a bond formed in the womb and strengthened through shared childhood experiences, Sharon and Melon have had to build theirs from scratch after discovering they had been separated at birth.

"I grew up with Mevis Imbaya as my fraternal twin, only to discover almost 20 years later that I have an identical twin, who is Sharon. Although Sharon is my biological sibling, I understand Mevis more because we shared a childhood together. Balancing the attention between the two is an everyday struggle," said Melon.

Before the discovery that gripped the nation, Melon had spent nearly two decades believing she and Mevis were fraternal twins after growing up together in the Furfural area of Kakamega County.

Everything changed in 2019 when Melon and Sharon connected through social media. Their striking resemblance sparked widespread public curiosity, leading to DNA tests that confirmed they were identical twins.

The findings also suggested the two had been accidentally switched at birth at Kakamega General Hospital in 1999.

For Sharon, the revelation shattered everything she had known about her identity.

Raised in Nairobi believing she was the only daughter and the last-born in the family that brought her up, DNA tests later established that the woman she had always known as her mother was, in fact, Mevis' biological mother.

She says the discovery marked the beginning of an emotionally painful journey of rebuilding her identity, redefining family relationships and learning how to belong to two families at the same time.

"I grew up as an only daughter and the last-born. Now I've discovered that I have an identical twin and other younger siblings. That was the first shock. What is even more confusing is balancing parents because I cannot abandon the parents who raised me, yet I also have to build a relationship with my biological mother," Sharon said.

Nearly seven years after their emotional reunion, the twins say the initial excitement has gradually given way to the difficult realities of navigating two families, two identities and two different worlds.

They say the emotional burden has taken a heavy psychological toll.

"I am appealing to well-wishers, especially psychological professionals, and to other twins who have grown up together, to help us through this period. It has been close to seven years of mental torture and is taking a toll on us," added Melon.

Despite the emotional challenges, both sisters have continued pursuing their careers. Sharon has since graduated with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Kibabii University, while Melon is pursuing a bachelor's degree in journalism at Mount Kenya University.

The Eldoret celebrations also provided a platform for other twins to share the joys and challenges of growing up with someone who shares not only their birthday but also a unique lifelong bond.

Lawyer Veronica Jerubet said living apart from her twin sister as adults has been emotionally difficult after spending virtually every moment of their childhood together.

"My twin sister works in Mombasa while I'm in Eldoret, and every day is a struggle. I would like to appeal to society and even employers that if twins apply for jobs and are both qualified, kindly consider employing them. Twins perform better when together. Even in schools, I ask teachers not to separate twins. We feel safe together because we have been together from our mother's womb," she said.

For Mr Paul Rugut, the celebrations rekindled memories of his identical twin brother Mr, Peter Rugut, who died of kidney failure in 2021.

Despite the painful loss, Paul fondly remembered the inseparable bond they shared throughout their lives.

"I have come here to celebrate this day and remember the good times. During our high school days, my brother and I used to confuse teachers a lot. Even cooks could not tell who they had just served food to, and fellow students enjoyed the drama," he recalled.

Ms Babyline Chemutai, the mother of identical twins Brilliant Chepkorir and Brina Chepkoech, described raising twins as both fulfilling and demanding.

"It is expensive to raise twins because you have to do almost everything twice. They are wired to want similar things, so you take them to the same school and buy similar shoes and clothes. But I enjoy it a lot, and I wouldn't mind having another set of twins," she said.

Another participant, Kibet Ng'aroni, who is himself a twin, is now raising a new generation of twins - a boy and a girl, continuing a unique family legacy that made this year's celebrations especially meaningful.

International Twins Day is observed to celebrate the unique bond shared by twins while raising awareness of their experiences and the special connection they have from birth.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.