A hospital in Kenya has finally confirmed that two Kakamega girls, Sharon Mathias and Melon Lutenyo, are identical twins. While browsing, Sharon had come across Melon and sent her a ‘friend request’.
No sooner had she ‘accepted’, the request, the two started engaging in a war of words over the authenticity of the other’s online profile. They were both suspicious of their striking resemblance but after the online altercation they chose to cut off their communication. The two finally met in December 2018 at a bus stop in Kakamega town.
This was prompted by constant mention by their teachers and schoolmates about their resemblance. Soon, their communication became frequent to the extent that they introduced each other to their parents.
In April 2019, both families resorted to solve the mystery by seeking professional help. Lancet Kenya then offered to carry out a DNA test at subsidised cost. The result eventually confirmed that they are twins.
Their mother, Ms Onyango, is said to have gone to Kakamega Hospital while pregnant on August 15, 1999. She expected to deliver triplets but when she regained consciousness after delivery through a caesarean section, she was informed that she had given birth to twins.
The twins were placed in an incubator for a week due to low birth weight. She said that she had been in doubt since her twin daughters Melon and Melvin did not turn out identical.
Also Ms Omina, who has just been confirmed not to be Sharon’s biological mother, said that she gave birth on August 14, 1999, just a day before Ms Onyango had her delivery.
However, the Director of Criminal Investigations office will still pursue the case of the identical twins switched at birth, even after the family said they will not press charges against the hospital.
In the mix up, Mevies Imbaya was given to Onyango as a fraternal twin to Melon, but it has now been confirmed that she is the biological daughter of Omina, who brought up Sharon.
