Jilted lover sets woman ablaze in Kandara

Maragua Level Four Hospital

The main gate of Maragua Level Four Hospital in Murang'a County where a woman who was allegedly set ablaze by her lover in receiving treatment.

Photo credit: Mwangi Muiruri | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • The two are said to have been lovers but the woman wanted to end things citing rampant abuse in the relationship

Police detectives in Kandara sub county, Murang’a county, are looking for a man who raided a woman's house, doused her with petrol before setting her ablaze on Friday November 26 morning.

The woman was rescued by neighbours who rushed her to Maragua Level Four Hospital.

Police say the incident that occurred at Muruka village was motivated by a romantic relationship gone sour.

The two are said to have been lovers but the woman wanted out citing rampant abuse in the relationship.

"It is then in expression of anger that this man is suspected to have sneaked into her house and executed the heinous crime of attempted murder," Kandara Sub County police boss Michael Mwaura said.

He said that the woman suffered acute trauma as well as burns on her hands, abdomen down to her legs.

Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation in Murang'a condemned the incident saying "it is unfortunate that Murang'a county is fast becoming the hub of cruelty against women."

The organisation's chairperson, Lucy Nyambura, lamented the increasing cases of cruelty against women in the county.

“We are being psyched to accept that we must close the day with news about a rape, defilement, murder, or attack against our women. We will not accept that and all those found guilty of such atrocities must be punished in a deterrent way,” she said.

Less than a week ago, another incident happened in Kangema sub county where a 20-year-old man stabbed his lover to death. The man had been tipped off by friends that the lady was in a local bar in the company of another man before walking in and stabbing the lady in the chest.

The suspect has since turned himself in and is being held at Kangema Police Station and officers put up an investigative file to charge him with murder.

Ms Nyambura has called on security agencies to tame substance and alcohol abuse in the area, saying it is suspected that the cruelty against women is attached to drug related derangements.