Man,23, narrates ordeal after siblings set him ablaze in Embu

A 23-year-old man is recuperating at Embu Level Five Hospital after he was set ablaze by family members who accused him of witchcraft.

Peter Nyaga Ivara narrated how his two nephews wrestled him down before dragging him to their homestead in Gatete Village, Mbeere South and set him ablaze.

Ivara, who is physically challenged, is a Early Childhood and Development Education (ECDE) teacher at Gatete Primary School.

He recalled how a woman passing by pleaded with the two men to stop hurting him after she spotted them wrestling him.

The woman’s pleas fell on deaf ears as the two men dragged their uncle to their home where his step brothers and sisters accusing him of being a witch and possessing evil spirits.

His niece reportedly destroyed his phone and then set it ablaze as her brothers descended on their uncle.

According to Ivara, the family has had a long conflict that forced his mother to relocate from the home.

He revealed that the conflict started in 2019 when one of the stepsisters was involved in an accident.

His stepmother allegedly confronted his mother and accused him (Iyara) of being behind the accident and practising witchcraft.

The case was reported to the police but referred back for resolution at the family level.

On Thursday, Ivara called on police to expeditiously bring his attackers to book and let the law take its course.

He is also appealing to the County government to consider transferring him to a school that is far from his stepmother’s homestead.

Gregory Mutiso, Sub County Police Commander for Mbeere South, said they are investigating the matter.

The police boss indicated that they were waiting for Ivara to be discharged from hospital so he can identify the attackers who will be charged with assault after investigations are completed.