Woman, daughter, grandchildren burnt to death in Makueni

Four family members including a woman, her daughter and two grandchildren were burnt to death on Sunday morning at their home in Makueni County in a suspected arson attack.

According to Makueni Police boss Joseph Ole Napeiyan, one suspect has since been arrested in connection with incident.

The victims; Regina Mueni, 49, her 27-year-old daughter Faith Mangeli and granddaughters Angel Masava, 5, and Amelia Masava, 2 were sleeping when their house at Nyunzu market was set on fire by unknown persons.

One more victim, Monica Matolo aged 75 survived the fire incident and is admitted at Makueni County Referral Hospital with serious burns.

27-year-old Mangeli and her two daughters aged 5 and 2 had reportedly gone to the home to visit her mother Regina Mueni.

Makueni County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed confirmed the 4am incident, saying investigations and a hunt for the perpetrators was underway.

According to Makueni Sub-county Police Commander Timothy Maina, the incident is believed to have been an arson attack due to the strong smell of petrol at the scene.

“It is suspected that the cause of the fire is petrol brought by unknown persons as the room had a strong petrol smell,” said the police boss.

Reports indicate that 27-year-old Mueni was embroiled in a land dispute with her brothers who are suspected to be behind the incident.

The bodies of the deceased were moved to the Makueni County Referral Hospital mortuary.

Reporting by Enock Muswii and Michael Mutinda