Estranged husband nearly kills wife, son in house fire

Estranged husband nearly kills wife, son in house fire

A woman and her nine-year-old son narrowly escaped death after her estranged husband set their house ablaze in Kabwe village in Kiharu, Murang’a County.

The man, identified as Josphat Karanja, had separated with Millicent Murugi Nyamu following recurrent domestic disputes but he returned on Wednesday evening armed with petrol, a machete, pliers and Jembe handle, according to neighbours.

Karanja doused the house with petrol, set it on fire and escaped, leaving them for dead. Fortunately, the neighbours put out the fire on time, rescuing Ms. Murugi and her son.

Police in Murang’a have since launched a manhunt for the suspect, who is also alleged to have been pursuing and threatening the estranged wife.

The incident comes amid growing concern over the frequent cases of tragic domestic disputes, with the most recent happening in Juja, Kiambu County where a quarry worker killed his wife and three children before committing suicide by setting their house on fire.

The woman and the three children; an 8-year-old son and twins aged 3, had been hit with a blunt object and strangled. It still remains unclear what led Patrick Nderitu into taking the life of his own family.

 

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juja fire incident man sets wifes's house on fire in murang'a man tries to kill wife and son in murang'a son escape death in Murang'a

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