Woman dies after she sets herself ablaze in Subukia

Residents look into a house where a police officer committed suicide by setting herself in July 2016. In a similar incident in Subukia, Nakuru County, a woman died on January 18, 2017 after burning herself in her house. Neighbours said she was disturbed by her son's criminal activities. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Subukia OCPD Alex Ng'ang'a said the deceased locked herself in her house before setting herself a blaze.
  • Passers-by who saw smoke emanating from the house broke into the bedroom where they found the woman burning.
  • They were unable to save her from the intense fire.
  • An eight-month-old baby who was sleeping in the bedroom was rescued alive.

A 35-year-old woman on Wednesday set herself a blaze in Kahiga trading centre in Subukia, Nakuru County, after a disagreement with her son.

The woman, identified as Ms Josephine Njeri Muthoni, who burnt to death, had said that she had suffered a lot.

Neighbours said before committing the act, she had complained about her son whom she said was disrespectful to her since stared involving himself in criminal activities.

"She was very disturbed by her son's decision to drop out of school recently with no valid reason," said Mr Mwangi Kamau, a neighbour of the deceased.

Subukia OCPD Alex Ng'ang'a, who confirmed the incident, said the deceased locked herself in her house before setting herself a blaze.

He said passers-by who saw smoke emanating from the house broke into the bedroom where they found the woman burning.

They were unable to save her from the intense fire.

Interestingly, an eight-month-old baby who was sleeping in the bedroom was rescued alive.

She was rushed to Nyahururu Hospital where she was treated and discharged while the body of her mother was taken to the hospital’s mortuary.

“Well-wishers and neighbours broke into the house to rescue the deceased but it was difficult because the fire was spreading fast. They, however, managed to rescue the baby who is in stable condition,” said the police boss.