A domestic squabble between a man and his ex-wife has left dozens of families at Shauri Moyo slum in Embu County counting losses.
This is after their houses were burnt when Peterson Muriithi allegedly sprinkled petrol in his one-roomed house and set it ablaze on Sunday night.
The fire spread to the neighbours houses, leaving them homeless.
According to eyewitnesses, Murithi who had disagreements with his ex-wife decided to set their house ablaze but it spread to the entire slum.
"He sprinkled petrol and set the house on fire, and was almost thrown into the fire by angry residents but he was rescued by police," said one of the victims.
Embu West Sub-County Police Commander Nick Kipkorir said the suspect was first taken to Embu Level Five Hospital before he was taken to Embu Police Station.
"A fire incident was reported in Shauri Moyo slums. Embu County fire brigade and police contained the fire," said Kipkorir, adding that police had launched investigations to establish the motive.
Kipkorir, however, noted that no one was injured in the incident.
"We are holding the male adult and will prefer arson charges," he said and appealed to the public to report suspicious characters within the community in time for police to take action.
