A family of four is in critical condition after their home was allegedly set on fire by an estranged lover in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Boma Yangu Estate in Nairobi, an attack that led to the death of an eight-year-old girl.Relatives of Roseline Mokaya, who is admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital, say the attack happened late Wednesday night while the family was asleep.
They allege that the suspect locked the house from the outside using a padlock, poured petrol into the house through the doors, and then set it on fire.Roseline and her three surviving children are currently receiving treatment at KNH.
The children are on oxygen after inhaling a large amount of smoke during the incident.
According to the family, the fire broke out at around 1am. As flames spread quickly through the house, the family was trapped inside with no immediate escape.
In a bid to save herself, the youngest child, eight-year-old Mary Nyamoita, jumped from a seventh-floor window. She died from her injuries.
Four other family members were rescued by neighbours and emergency responders but remain in critical condition.
“Tuko hapa, mamangu bado ako kwa ward na hawezi ongea. Ako na hao watoto wengine wako kwa oxygen, daktari wamesema tungoje. Waliinhale moshi sana hiyo siku. Huyo mtoto mdogo alikufa, lakini alikuwa amevunjika meno na mgongo,” said a family member, Evelyn Ogwoka.
The family identified the suspect as Ronald Anyona Nyakoe, a boda boda operator who works in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
They said he had previously been in a relationship with Roseline Mokaya.
According to the family, problems escalated after the man allegedly started making inappropriate advances toward the children.
When confronted, they claim he became hostile and later planned the attack that targeted the entire household.
“Huyo Ronald alikuja usiku, akamwaga petroli kwa mlango, alafu akawasha moto na kutoroka. Before akuje mchana, alikuwa amemtafuta mathe the whole day na kisu. Mathe akanipigia akaniambia anataka kuniona. Sasa usiku ndio alimfuata kwa nyumba na kuwachoma,” Evelyn added.
CCTV footage from a petrol station in Mukuru kwa Njenga shows a man believed to be the suspect fueling his motorcycle at around 11.28pm on the night of the incident.
He reportedly filled the tank at a cost of Ksh1,825 and claimed to have paid via M-Pesa before riding off without making payment. Investigators believe the attack happened shortly afterward.
The family reported the matter to the police and expressed frustration over delays in arresting the suspect.
Police officers at Makadara Police Station have, however, said they are actively pursuing him.
Security and management at Boma Yangu Estate declined to allow access to the scene, raising concerns about how the suspect entered the guarded estate, carried out the attack, and left without being stopped.
