Kakamega police arrest suspect behind Embu arson that killed seven

Kakamega Police have arrested a man they allege was on the run after he mistakenly set ablaze a house in Embu instantly killing seven people in October last year.

Kakamega Police Boss Joseph Kigen said they arrested the suspect who was hiding in Navakholo Constituency as he carried on with his normal duties.

Mr Kigen said they got a tip-off of the whereabouts of the suspect before capturing him on Saturday morning in Bunyamu village.

"We facilitated his transfer to Embu where the crime happened after we confirmed with our counterparts in the county (Embu) he was the one they were after. We hope that he will be resourceful in helping our investigators know what transpired on the material day (October 1, 2021) the crime he is suspected to have committed happened," he said.

Kigen said the suspect was not resistant when police confronted him and promised to cooperate.

The man in his 30s is suspected to have set ablaze the house at Ngimari Runyenjes Constituency by mistake.

Charles Kariuki, his wife Catherine Wanjiru, daughters Judith Wanjiku and Mary Ann Murugi and their son Joel Njeru all died in the blaze alongside Tumaini Blessing and Mbaraka who are grandchildren of Kariuki.

Embu leaders had asked police to expedite investigations to unearth the person(s) behind the fire after no arrests were made following the bizarre killings.