An 85-year-old woman died in a fire incident that razed her home to the ground in Thukuma village, Mukurweini Sub-County, Nyeri County.
According to police, the fire occurred in the early hours of Saturday, July 12, at around 3:00 am.
The deceased, identified as Mary Wairimu Githaiga, lived alone in her semi-permanent timber house located near Thukuma Primary School.
The fire was reported to police by Senior Chief Ephantus Wanjohi Ngumo of Giathugu Location.
Officers from Kangurwe Police Station rushed to the scene and found the two-roomed house had been completely consumed by flames.
“Inside the ruins was also found the charred remains of a human body that was burnt beyond recognition,” reads the police report.
The deceased’s step-son, Josphat Wanjoga Githaiga, told police that Mary was last seen the previous evening around 5:00 pm feeding her dairy goats. Josphat lives with his family in a nearby compound.
He said he was jolted awake by the sound of flames at around 3:00 am.
“He was woken up by the roar of fire, and on realising his step-mother’s house was on fire, he raised alarm,” the police report states.
Neighbours responded and tried to put out the fire, but it was too late. Everything inside the house was destroyed.
After searching the compound and farm, the neighbours eventually found the remains of the elderly woman inside the burnt structure.
The scene was processed and documented by officers from the Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) unit. The body was moved to Mukurweini Level 4 Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The value of the destroyed property is yet to be determined, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Police have launched investigations. The case is pending under inquiry, with DCI Mukurweini handling the matter.
