Tragic Nyeri fire claims lives of two children as investigations continue

A cloud of grief and unanswered questions hangs over Mutitu village in Mathira Constituency following a tragic house fire that claimed the lives of two young siblings on Wednesday, 16 July 2925, evening.
The fire, which broke out at around 3 pm, quickly engulfed the family home while the children were asleep. Despite frantic efforts by neighbours to put out the flames, an 8-year-old boy and his 4-year-old sister were unable to escape and died in the blaze.
What makes the tragedy even more troubling for the family and local community is the mystery surrounding its cause. Relatives say there was no fire lit in the house at the time.
“There was a huge fire at home yesterday and my cousin’s children perished,” said Wizzy Chris, a family member, during an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
“We were returning from the hospital after picking up their mother, who had been discharged, when we received a call that the house was on fire.”
A third child, a Grade 9 girl who was also in the house managed to escape and alert neighbours. Sadly, by the time help arrived, it was too late to save the younger children.
The grieving family is now calling for a full investigation to uncover the cause of the fire.
“We are asking authorities to investigate this matter as no fire had been lit in the house, and we are wondering how the fire even started,” a relative added.
In a separate series of fire tragedies across the country, at least seven other people have lost their lives. Among them are five family members who died in a suspected arson attack in the Bulapesa area of Isiolo.
Victims in the Isiolo incident include a 45-year-old mother, her three children aged between 7 and 15, and a cousin. They were reportedly trapped inside the house when the fire began. Community members suspect the fire was a revenge act tied to a love triangle. In the aftermath, an enraged mob lynched the alleged arsonist and set her home ablaze.
The deceased family was buried in accordance with Muslim customs. One son, a Form Four student, survived the tragedy.
Police have launched investigations into the Isiolo incident, including the suspected arson, the mob justice killing, and the broader wave of deadly fires reported in recent days.