Shock as mother and baby die in mysterious fire

Jacinta Nzilani, a relative of the deceased, is overcome with grief at the home in Nakuru County. [Daniel Chege, Standard]

A woman and her six-month-old baby died in a mysterious fire in Mwariki Estate, Nakuru County yesterday. Kaptembwo Police Commander Samson Gathuku said the incident occurred at around noon and investigations have started.

“We can only confirm that a mother and her child have lost their lives and further investigations will be done and a full report issued,” he said.

Eye witnesses claimed that Caroline Wanza, 30, set herself and her infant on fire around noon using a gas cylinder. Esther Wanjiru, a neighbour said Wanza locked herself and her baby inside her two-roomed house before setting themselves on fire.

“I saw smoke coming from one of her rooms and when I went to check, I found her door locked from inside,” said Ms Wanjiru.

In panic, Wanjiru called Wanza, but she didn’t answer forcing her to call for help from other neighbours. James Gikaru, the landlord said he heard screams from his house and saw billows of smoke from Wanza’s house.

“I mobilised help quickly and we broke the door and put out the fire,” said Gikaru.

Gikaru said when they were assessing the damage they discovered the woman and the baby in the bedroom burnt to death, with a gas cylinder below the bed.

The deceased’s husband, Boniface Oduor said he received the tragic news from his wife’s sister while at work in Molo.

“My child and wife were full of life. I do not understand why she killed herself and our child,” mourned Oduor.

The deceased’s sister Jecinta Nzilani said they last spoke on Wednesday and Wanza complained that she was in pain.

“She was nursing a Cesarean Section wound and it was yet to heal properly,” said Nzilani.