57-Year-old Woman Burns to Death in a Suspected Arson Attack in Kirinyanga

57-year-old woman, Dorcas Wangeci’s body was discovered on Monday after the first responders put out the fire which razed her place in Riandara, Kirinyaga County.

Wilson Koskei the Mwea-West sub-county police commander, confirmed that nobody was injured as the woman lives alone.

Abraham Mwangi, a resident in the area said that the efforts to put off the fire were slow since there was no source of water nearby.

"We thought there was nobody in the house as her cows remained tied in the compound the whole of yesterday and we were shocked to find her body in her bed," Mwangi said. 

Residents believe it was strange that the woman's body was found on her bed and that two gas cylinders discovered after the fire was put out had not exploded.

The residents are now calling for an investigation into the incident suspecting foul play.

"They wanted to hide evidence, and that is why they set her house on fire, we are even wondering why the gas cylinder did not explode," Elizabeth said.

Mwea police boss Wilson Koskei said police have launched an investigation despite residents treating the incident as suspected arson.

The body of the deceased was moved to Kibugi funeral home in Kutus awaiting a postmortem.