Woman sets her house ablaze to reject co-wife

A woman in Toll village, Baraton Location in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, has set her house on fire after her husband allegedly married a second wife.

Edina Ng’eno torched the house on Thursday morning while her husband, Elijah Nandwa Lomeni, was at work and their children had left for school.

Edina had reportedly differed with her husband on Wednesday night over the second marriage forcing her to seek shelter at a neighbour.

The woman then sneaked back to the home and set ablaze the house.

“The woman had differed with her husband over and sought shelter at a neighbour's house but returned to the matrimonial home early on Thursday, when her children were at school and husband at work, and torched the house," said a neighbour who declined to be named.

The woman disappeared to an unknown place after she set the house ablaze.

Members with the help of firefighters from Trans Nzoia County struggled and managed to put out the fire before it could consume the entire property,” said local chief Mildred Chesoli.

The administrator said the woman is being sought over the crime.

Describing the incident as primitive and uneconomical, the chief urged the couple to settle domestic issues amicably instead of resorting to bad practices.

"Burning the house is not a solution. This is a primitive act. There are many ways of handling situations," said the chief.

She said her office is open to counsel disagreeing couples.