Six family members killed in suspected arson attack in Murang’a

Residents of Nguthuru area in Kandara Sub County, Murang’a were left in shock after a Saturday night fire claimed the lives of six family members.

Margret Wangui Njoroge, a widow aged 60 years, her three children, Cecilia Gathoni 30, Lucy Mumbi,18, Margaret Wanja, 15 and two grandchildren, Jackline Wambui, 7 and Alvin Kiarie,3, were killed in the night inferno which razed down their house.

Residents said they heard screams from the house at around 1.30 pm suspecting the house which was locked from outside was set on fire by unknown persons.

A key suspect, Alice Nyambura, who is sister to the deceased woman has already been apprehended to help in the investigations.

Neighbours claimed that there was bad blood between the deceased and her sister who were living together in the same house.

Murang’a county police commander Mr. Ali Nuno confirming the incident said police officers were called to scene by locals but unfortunately the mother, her three daughters and two of her grandchildren had already perished.

Nuno said the family had a long land dispute which they assume could have contributed to the incident.

“We are doing investigations as we have a suspect with us, who is a member of the family of the late Joseph Njoroge but from preliminary investigations, the family was rocked in a land succession case. The suspect will assist us in investigations,” he added.

The sister, currently under police custody, is said to have saved her belongings from her room leaving residents with questions why she acted in such a manner, instead of saving the lives of those in the house.

A neighbour, Margret Njoki said she heard screams a few minutes after 1pm but when they got out they found the woman’s house already engulfed by a huge fire.

“We could not save anything by then, since the house was almost consumed by fire and it’s unfortunate we lost the aged mother, together with her children and grandchildren,” she mourned.

Njoki called for family members to solve any differences amicably and avoid causing incidents which cause death. The bodies were taken to General Kago hospital mortuary in Thika to await postmortem.