8-year-old killed, 4 family members hospitalized after jilted lover sets their house on fire

A family of four is fighting for their lives after an estranged lover allegedly set their house on fire in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Boma Yangu Estate in Nairobi. The tragic incident claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl.

According to the family of Roseline Mokaya, who is admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the suspect attacked the family on Wednesday night, locked them inside their home with a padlock, and doused the house with petrol before setting it ablaze while they were asleep.

Roseline is being treated alongside her three children, who are on oxygen following the reported arson attack.

The family was attacked when a suspected jilted lover allegedly set their home on fire at around 1am while they were asleep.

The suspect reportedly locked the house from the outside with a new padlock, poured petrol into the home through the doors, and set it ablaze.

In a desperate attempt to escape, an eight-year-old girl, identified as Mary Nyamoita, the youngest child of Roseline Mokaya, jumped from a seventh-floor window and tragically died. Four other family members were rescued 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.

In an interview with Citizen TV, the family identified the suspect as Ronald Anyona Nyakoe, a boda boda operator in Nairobi’s Central Business District. They say he was previously in a relationship with their mother.

The man is said to have begun making inappropriate advances toward the children, and when confronted, he allegedly planned the attack that targeted the entire family.

“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 obtained from a petrol station in Mukuru kwa Njenga shows the suspect on the night of the attack, around 11:28 p.m. He reportedly arrived to fuel his motorbike to a full tank at a cost of Ksh.1,825.

After filling the tank, the suspect allegedly told the attendant he had paid via M-Pesa, handing over his mobile phone, before speeding away without making any payment. Moments later, he is said to have carried out the attack on the family.

The family reported the incident to the police, but they say little has been done to apprehend the suspect. However, detectives at Makadara Police Station say they are actively trailing the accused.

Security and management at Mukuru kwa Njenga, Boma Yangu Estate, declined requests to access the crime scene, raising questions about how the suspect was able to enter the well-guarded estate, set the house on fire, and leave unnoticed.