Man found dead after fire sweeps through house in Machakos

FILE IMAGE OF POLICE LINE

A man aged 88 was killed in a fire incident in Mbuku village, Kathiani, Machakos County.

The lifeless body of Samuel Muoka Mathai was found in his kitchen on Thursday October 9, 2025 morning long after he had died, police said.

The body had burns in the upper part. The family said the deceased was disabled for the last six years and stayed alone.

A woman who had been attending to him arrived at the home and found the house locked from inside. This forced her to call for help when they realized the man was dead and burnt.

Police said the wheelchair he was using was also partially burnt. The cause of the fire was not established, police said adding an investigation had been launched into the same.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and further investigations.

Elsewhere in Cherengany, Trans Nzoia County, one Amos Kipruto, 32 was found dead under a tree.

This was after he was beaten up by some locals over claims of being a thief. He was accused of stealing three sacks of maize from his uncle.

He went to his house and slept before a relative removed him to bask in the sun on October 9, 2025. The relative placed him under a tree where he succumbed to the injuries.

Police were called and moved the body to the mortuary pending autopsy and other procedures.

Police said the search for the assailants is ongoing.

Police discourage mob lynching and want suspects be surrendered to authorities for action.

Such incidents are on the rise in villages and urban areas, police statistics show.