Man who killed 7 family members in arson attack burnt wrong house while targeting estranged wife
The suspect who has been on the run after setting ablaze a home in Ngimari village in Embu county on October last year killing 7 family members was arrested at his hideout in Kakamega on Friday night by detectives.
Following his arrest, it has since emerged that the man burnt the wrong house while targeting his estranged wife.
Detectives revealed that the suspect disagreed with his wife who, in turn, fled her matrimonial home in Kakamega and got married to another man in the aforementioned Embu village.
After learning that the woman had remarried, the suspect allegedly sent a text message, threatening to set their family home on fire.
However, he is said to have mistakenly set a neighbour’s house ablaze, killing the seven family members, leaving local residents and leaders reeling in shock.
Those killed were then 50-year-old Charles Kariuki, his wife Catherine Wanjiru aged 46, their three children Joel Njeru, Judy Wanjiku, Maryanne Murugi and two grandchildren.
According to residents, the victims were sleeping when the fire burnt them to death.
The victims were laid to rest side by side in the same grave during funeral that attracted local leaders led by Governor Cecily Mbarire.
According to Embu East Sub-county Police Commander Emmanuel Okanda, the suspect will be arraigned to face murder charges stating that the offence was of a serious nature.
