- Were it not for his fast-thinking relatives, a 90-year-old man from Kirinyaga would have likely perished in a fiery arson attack that saw his house set ablaze by unknown assailants using petrol
- James Kamene was fast asleep when the attackers struck, but his grandson and other family members quickly noticed the thick smoke and rushed to pull him from the flames
- This close call has sparked fears in the community, as locals believe the elderly may be increasingly targeted
A 90-year-old man in Kirigu Village, Kirinyaga County, narrowly escaped death after his house was set ablaze in what is suspected to be a targeted arson attack by unknown assailants.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, saw James Kamene asleep in his home when the attackers doused his house in petrol before setting it on fire.
Kamene’s quick-thinking relatives, led by his grandson John Ndambiri, noticed thick smoke billowing from the house and rushed to his rescue.
They managed to pull him from the burning building just in time, before the flames could reach him. “We could smell the strong scent of petrol.
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It was clear that this was no ordinary fire,” said Rev. Susan Murimi, Kamene’s daughter, who was horrified to learn of the attack.
Despite the local community’s efforts to put out the blaze, the fire caused extensive damage to Kamene’s home.
However, the elderly man emerged unharmed, a fortunate outcome that has left many in the village in shock.
“It’s a miracle he survived,” said local resident Catherine Wangui. “The fire spread so quickly, but his family acted fast and managed to get him out before it was too late.”
Locals are now raising concerns that this attack is part of a growing trend of targeted assaults on the elderly in the area.
“This is the fifth such incident we’ve had in the village, and each time, it’s the elderly who are being targeted,” said John Njuki, a neighbor.
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Many believe the attackers may be preying on vulnerable community members, including those who rely on government cash transfers, though the motive remains unclear.
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Police from Kianyaga Police Station have launched an investigation into the incident, with detectives collecting evidence from the site.
“We are treating this case with the seriousness it deserves. We are determined to find those responsible for this vicious act,” said a police spokesperson.
