Burial of child victims of mysterious fire, dominated by calls for DCI to act
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday came under scathing attack in Murang’a over alleged negligence in investigating a mysterious fire that killed four children on December 19, 2024.
Several who spoke at the burial in Kihumbu-ini village, Gatanga Constituency, reckon that the tragedy was a result of arson.
The four victims belonged to one family led by Mercy Njeri, 40, who besides losing a son in the fire, also had two of her daughters losing a child each. Her sister too lost her baby.
During the burial ceremony, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said: "We need answers as to what brought about this grave tragedy."
On her part, Mr Gachagua's wife Pastor Dorcas said: "Some acts cannot even be described as human...should it happen that these children were murdered, all arms of government must bring the perpetrators of this evil to book".
Area MP Mary wa Maua was more blunt, saying: "Some evil-minded human being pursuing an equally evil plot murdered the children".
She accused the police of lethargy of duty.
"The four deaths were as a result of arson. I condemn the person who did this. The DCI is yet to give us an answer. It is irritatingly slow. Had it been a tycoon's family that was attacked, we would have seen sniffer dogs, hovering choppers and suspects arrested," she charged.
Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu closed ranks with observers from the Law Society of Kenya, Murang'a Children Rights Advocacy Network, Disability Demystified Pressure Group and Independent Medical Legal Unit to demand that the DCI provides justice to the family.
"Since the tragedy hit the family, the scene has remained an open field accessed by all and sundry as ongoing rains wash away any leads," he said.
However, DCI boss Mr John Kanda said investigations are ongoing.
"We conducted routine scene of crime procedures and investigators are piecing together the leads," he said.
Mr Kanda did not reveal whether his officers have identified the cause of the inferno.