Six killed in suspected arson attack in Kandara

Six people from one family were burnt to death in an arson attack in Makenji Kandara Murang’a County Saturday night.

A widow Mary Wangui Njoroge(60), her three children Cecilia Gathoni (30) Lucy mumbi (18) Margaret Wanja(15) two grandchildren Jackline Wambui (7) and Alvin kiarie (3) , were burnt beyond recognition when the house they were sleeping in was set on fire by unknown people.

Murang’a police boss Ali Nuno police said the motive of the arson was not yet known, but investigations point to a family dispute.

He said one suspect Alice Nyambura who is the sister to Mary Wangui is in custody and is being interrogated.

Initial investigations said the arsonist locked the house from outside, doused it with petrol and set it ablaze at 1am Sunday morning.

The loud screens and thick smoke from the inferno waking up the sleepy village but their efforts to put out the fire were futile due to the intensity of the flames.

According to Ndung’u Wakahungu the said suspect yesterday had a dispute about her phone being stolen by children of the diseased saying the issue escalated to a fight that was sorted out at Kabati police station.

Another neighbour, Margaret Magiri, talked of a bigger plan to eliminate the entire family as the suspect had been seen acting strange and had even removed her belongings outside prior to the attack.

A relative to the family Rebecca Wambui confirmed family wrangles that have been there for long condemning the heinous act.

She however, has called on the police to speed up investigations and legal action taken to the perpetrators.