Man dies after setting house on fire

Residents of Warazojet in Kieni, Nyeri County, at the scene where Mr David Mukuria died after he set his house on fire. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ms Wambui, 30, said her husband poured petrol in the house and put barriers on the door so that no one could get out of the house.
  • She woke up to the smell of petrol in the house, only to find her husband looking for a matchbox.
  • A neighbour answered her distress call and helped her to break the door open.

A man was on Monday burnt to death in Nyeri County as he reportedly attempted to kill his wife and three children over a family dispute.

Mr David Mukuria, 38, had been away from his home in Warazojet Village, Kieni, for about two weeks and only went back on Monday at 2am.

According to his wife, Ms Martha Wambui, he was in high spirits, which was rare. “He had been short tempered and had even been hospitalised over anger management issues,” she said.

Ms Wambui, 30, said her husband poured petrol in the house and put barriers on the door so that no one could get out of the house.

LOOKING FOR MATCHBOX

She woke up to the smell of petrol in the house, only to find her husband looking for a matchbox. She said she tried to stop him but did not succeed. She started shouting for help and the noise woke up their children, who were sleeping in their room.

A neighbour answered her distress call and helped her to break the door open. Ms Wambui rushed out of the burning house with the children.

Mr Mukuria was pulled out of the house but fought his way back into the growing flames.

He burned along with the entire rental house. County Police Commander Eunice Kihiko confirmed the incident.