Man sets seven houses ablaze over marital row

The scene where houses were burnt at Litare Beach in Mbita- County on June 24, 2023 at 11pm. [James Omoro, Standard]

Seven families will spend the night in the cold after their houses were torched by a 28-year-old man following domestic row with his wife in Homa Bay county.

The incident occurred when residents were attending a funds drive in aid of a bereaved family, at 11pm in Litare Beach, Mbita sub-county, on Saturday.

Litare Beach Management Unit Chairman Isaiah Peros said the fire was started by a man who sneaked into one of the houses and doused the property with petrol before setting them on fire.

The suspect fled as the fire spread to the neighbouring six houses.

"The man was seen sneaking into the house with a jerrican of petrol and set the house ablaze. He timed when the occupants were at a funeral funds drive in the neighbourhood," Pero said.

He suspects that the man was angered after his wife threw him out of their house.

"The information we have is that the man decided to revenge the wife's decision to him kick out the house. The woman used to stay alone before the man moved in when they got married," Pero said.

He said property worth Sh3 million was destroyed by the inferno.

Caroline Achieng, one of the victims said they did not salvage anything from the house.

"As we speak, the only thing I have are the clothes on my body. It is a serious loss. I appeal for humanitarian aid," Achieng said.

Pero called on the Homa Bay County Disaster Management Department to support the families with humanitarian aid.

"We also appeal to any well-wishers to come to our aid," he said.

The Assistant Chief of Kamasengre West Sub-location, Meshack Wachianga, said they were pursuing the suspect.

"The suspect is a known person in this area because he has been cohabiting with a woman who is one of the victims. He disappeared, but I am sure we will get hold of him," Wachianga said.

He told residents to find a better avenue for solving domestic disputes.

"Let residents be careful on how to handle domestic issues without causing damage to the society," he said.