At least five people were Monday morning killed in a fierce fire incident in Mathare slums, Nairobi.
Police said four other people are nursing serious wounds following the fire incident in Mathare B. The victims include three adults and two children, police said.
The injured were rushed to the local MSF hospital. Many other people were left homeless in the incident that broke out at about 2 am on May 19.
Fire engines from the military and Nairobi County Government arrived later to contain the spread of the fire, witnesses and police said. Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Sedah said the fire flattened at least eight houses.
He said the fire broke out from one of the iron sheet made structures before it spread fast to others killing the five.
“The victims were sleeping when the fire broke out killing five of them. Four others are in hospital with serious injuries,” he said.
He said two churches that were near the houses were also burnt down.
The bodies were moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and other investigations, police said.
This is the latest such incident to happen in informal settlement area amid calls for construction and expansion of access roads to the areas.
The locals have appealed for help to reconstruct the structures. Those affected were hosted by locals.
Meanwhile, two people were stoned to death in separate mob lynching incidents reported to police. The first incident happened in Ongata Rongai area, Kajiado where a man aged 18 was stoned to death over claims he was involved in a rape drama.
Police and locals said the suspect was caught in possession of the phone and wearing shoes belonging to the victim, a lady who hails from the same area.
The victim also identified the man as one who robbed and raped her more than a week ago. Locals turned on the suspect stoning him to death.
Police arrived at the scene and moved the body to the mortuary pending autopsy and investigations. In Maua, Meru County, a man was stoned to death over claims he stole a motorcycle.
Police said the suspect was accused of stealing motorcycles in the area and selling them elsewhere.
The body was moved to the mortuary. Cases of mob lynching have been on the rise amid calls to address the menace. Police discourage mob lynching and want suspects be surrendered for processing.
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