Four family members killed in house fire in Kirinyaga

A family in Ngurubani town in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, is struggling to come to terms after four members of one family perished in a fire under unknown circumstances.

A man who escaped death in a fire incident on Friday morning, where his wife and two children died, also passed away in the hospital hours later.

Confirming the death of Julius Mwangi, 63, the deceased's son Samuel Mwangi said his father died around 3 pm at Mwea Mission Karira Hospital, where he was recuperating.

Mwangi died as police were investigating the circumstances under which his wife, Winnie Njeri, aged 50, and his two daughters, Grace Wawira, aged 13, and Ivyjune Njoki, aged 4, perished.

The deceased was suspected of having killed his wife and two children.

Immediately after the incident, Mwangi had recorded a statement at Mwea Mission Hospital, saying they were attacked by unknown people but he managed to escape. Detectives from Wang’uru Police Station say he was rushed to the hospital by a boda boda rider.  

According to a night watchman, Samuel Mboci, the couple were fighting when the fire started at around 1 am. The guard said he raised an alarm after noticing a huge fire coming from Julius Mwangi's rented house.

“I heard children telling their father to stop beating their mother. Little did I know they were fighting,” Mboci said.

Wang’uru sub-location assistant chief, Mercy Wambui said county government firefighters put out the fire and thereafter discovered three bodies which had been burnt beyond recognition.

Samuel, the elder son of the deceased, revealed that he was in the hospital during the incident after being attacked by goons, who he suspects killed his family.

“I was admitted to a local private hospital after I was attacked by suspected hired goons on Friday at around 11 am, before the fire incident happened, and I suspect they are the ones who attacked my family,” he said.

“We are struggling with my uncles to see whether I will give my parents and two sisters a decent send-off,” Samuel lamented.

Tebere Ward MCA, Peter Karinga, said they are contributing to ensure the four family members are buried next week.

“We are reaching out to our community for support during this difficult time. Tragically, four members of one family — father, mother, and two kids — lost their lives in a devastating fire incident,” said the MCA.

“As the family prepares for the burial, we are appealing to kind-hearted individuals and organisations to contribute towards the funeral and hospital expenses. Every little help, and your generosity will go a long way in supporting the family during this challenging period.”