A family of four died following a suspected domestic dispute incident that culminated in an arson attack at Runda area in Thika West Subcounty, Kiambu County.

Police said they responded to reports of a house fire at an unnamed rental house on the evening of June 5.

Upon arrival, they found the fire already extinguished and four family members lying inside the house with severe burn injuries.

The victims were identified as the husband Martin Grison Kamau, 34, who was found unconscious with extensive burns his wife Phyllis Wambui Waweru, who was semi-conscious and had severe burns, Talan Kamau, 6, who had a deep cut on the forehead and severe burns and Terence Waweru Kamoko, 4, who was also found with serious burn injuries.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Kamau allegedly sent the children to a nearby shop before attacking his wife by pouring a corrosive substance believed to be acid on her.

Neighbours who heard screams and commotion attempted to intervene but received no response after knocking on the door.

When the children returned, the man reportedly pulled them into the house and locked the door from inside.

As the disturbance intensified and the children cried out for help, he later pushed them out before returning inside the house. 

Area police boss John Kimanthi said the man then attempted to set the house ablaze using a highly flammable thinner, prompting neighbours to force their way in and rescue the occupants.

“The children did not know what was happening. He poured an acid on them,” said Kimathi.

Crime scene investigators recovered several items from the house, including empty containers of chemicals and flammable substances, among them chloride oxide, spirit, pesticide, thinner, and a bottle containing an unidentified yellowish mixture.

 All four victims were initially rushed to Thika Level 5 Hospital for treatment where three later succumbed to their injuries, while the fourth victim, four-year-old Terence Waweru Kamoko, who had been transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital, died on June 6 while undergoing treatment.

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The bodies were preserved at General Kago Mortuary in Gatundu and Nairobi’s City Mortuary pending post-mortem examinations as police continue with investigations into the incident. 

Police said they were investigating the motive of the incident. The couple had lived separately before the man tried to revive the relationship.

A crowd gathered at the scene as police and other responders attended to the scene.

Such incidents have been on the rise in families amid calls on parties to always solve their differences amicably.