Sombre mood as seven family members buried in Embu

Emotions ran high as seven family members of one family who were burnt beyond recognition inside their house were buried at their home in Ngimari in Embu East subcounty.

The victims were buried in one grave in one compound bringing to end the family that bounded together since 2008.

Charles Kariuki Njeru (50) his wife Catherine Wanjiru Kariuki (46), their three children Judy Wanjiru Kariuki (23), Maryan Murugi Kariuki (14), Joel Njeru Kariuki (7) and two grandchildren Tumaini Blessing Judy (5) and Prince Baraka Judy (3) were burnt in unclear circumstances while asleep on October 7^th.

The seven caskets carrying the remains of the seven victims lay side by side at Gichiche Primary School where a joint burial ceremony took place.

Tears flew uncontrollably as mourners remembered how they lived well with the deceased’s members.

Students who schooled with young deceased members of the family who succumbed to fire sang solemnly remembering how they won't see their classmates seated on their desks.

"Rest in peace till we meet again," part of the song read.

Mourners who got little energy to speak described the family as jovial and which respected everybody in the community.

“What did this family do to meet such treatment from who did this act, it is painful,” said Dr Oliver Kariuki a relative. He said justice was the only remedy for their hearts that investigator can offer.

Leaders who graced the burial led by Embu governor Cecily Mbarire condemned the fatal attack for a whole family and demanded justice for the seven deceased family members.

“We want the government to move with speed and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to book and charged,” said Mbarire adding that the victims did not deserve such a painful death.

“This will forever etched in the minds of everybody in this community” she said.

Mbarire said that the DCI had said they had located mobile phones which were at the scene during the fateful morning but no one has ever been arrested.

"We cannot let this go DCI. We will follow up the matter to the latter. If the DCI won't do its work well we will demand they be transferred and we get competent people who can investigate and tell us what happened”, said the governor.

Runyenjes Member of Parliament Eric Muchangi said that he learned of the fire incident with great shock.

“It is regrettable that we have lost a whole family. What really might have happened for those who did this act to this people? A person killing a whole generation really? It’s painful”, said Muchangi.

Investigations

Muchangi underscored the need to have a thorough investigations into the death and have those who did the act meet the force of the law.

"If we won't get justice for this family then the DCI should tell us why," said Muchangi.

He also said he will question the security on the matter on the floor of the National Assembly saying he won't relax until the root cause of the matter is put on the table.

Embu woman representative Pamela Njoki Njeru castigated the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for moving slowly in investigating the matter. She wondered why after the incident no one has ever being arrested.

“We are tired. Every time such kind of incident happen, we are told to wait and that is all. On this we are not letting it go.  What we need is to see who did this before a court of law,” said Njoki.

Embu senator Alexander Mundigi said the incident was a criminal activity. Mundigi called on security to ensure night patrols are carried out to deal with a gang that was terrorizing locals in the night.

He said cases of insecurity had increased in recent past within the county.

Embu East Sub County deputy county commissioner Jane Waruige said investigations into the death of the seven family members were ongoing and urged members of public to volunteer any information that would lead to arrest of suspects.

The seven victims lost their lives in the cruellest manner after their house was allegedly set ablaze by unknown assailants.

Locals who responded to the distress call when the house was on fire on Sunday 7th this month in the morning said that the fire had started from the door.

The house was not connected to electricity and on their final night the family prepared their supper at their father’s home.

STORY By BRIAN MUSYOKA