Shock as mother, three children and house help killed in night inferno

Children playing on the debris of what remained of houses gutted by fire in Kiambuthi estate, Embu town. [Joseph Muchiri, Standard]

Five members of a family died when their house caught fire on Thursday night.

A mother, her three children and a house help died when their house caught fire in Mashuru, Kajiado County.

''We have had a very serious incident last night. Five members of the same family have been burned beyond recognition. We are yet to establish the cause of the fire,'' said Mashuru Deputy County Commissioner Baraza Wafula.

They were identified as Naomi Timanoi Tipapei aged 37, her children Komeiyan Saitoti, 9, Godwin Saitoti, 6, five-month-old Naishorwa Saitoti and the house help only identified as Alice, 18.

The father was said to have been away and only learnt of the incident in the morning.

Wafula said Edward Koringo, a neighbour, reported to the police that a house belonging to David Saitoti Maina was on fire.

"Our officers proceeded to the scene and found that the fire had already consumed the main house. Salvage efforts were futile," said Wafula.

He said they discovered the burnt bodies after the officers put out the fire.

The remains of the victims were moved to Kilome Nursing Home Mortuary in Makueni.

Residents accused authorities, including the county government, of failing to put in place fire fighting measures.