Isaac Makengi accused of attempted murder of his family at Teachers Estate in Nakuru on August 24,2018 when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Benard Mararo on December 2018. [Harun Wathari/Standard]
A farmer told the court on Friday that his son in-law threatened to slit his throat with a panga after he played mediation role, wishing they would reconcile.
Simon Kimili testified before Principal Magistrate Bernard Mararo against his in-law Isaac Makengi, a motorbike rider who is facing attempted murder charges.
The accused is said to have attempted to kill his wife Catherine Muthoni his sister in-law Ruth Mwihaki, his nine-year-old son, his seven-year-old son and his ten-month old niece by locking them inside his house and igniting liquefied petroleum gas.
Kimili told the court that he had received a call on August 24, last year from his 28-year-old niece, the wife of the accused, requesting him to visit their homestead at Teacher Estate to help solve misunderstanding she had with her husband.
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Muthoni is said to have had matrimonial issues with her husband, who not only once but on numerous occasion accused her of infidelity.
“After receiving a call from my niece I called her elder sister Mwihaki, to accompany me to the said house given that I have been to my in-law place once, she came with her ten-month old baby,” said Kimili.
The witness further testified that he went to accused house only to be told that he was at his work place, he proceeded to his work place where they had a chat and decided to go to Makengi home for a conversation.
“As we sat at the accused house, he strongly condemned his wife of an affair, my efforts to talk him to relax as we see a way forward bore no fruits. The accused disagreed with me and insisted that his wife was cheating on him,” he said.
As the family tries to find a solution on what to do, Kimili excused himself as he went to toilet to relieve himself only to meet with the accused with a padlock, he threatened him with a panga as he locked his family in the house.
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His efforts to intervene was cut short when the accused closed the door with his family inside and ran to Teacher Police Post reported the matter, where he was accompanied by two police officers.
The accused is said to have opened a cylinder gas, spilt petroleum from his motorbike before setting the house on fire.
“On my way back, we heard a loud bang only to see the house on fire, we rushed there trying to help the victims with the help of neighbour who heard the explosion come to our aid,” said Kimili.
The accused and his family members were injured and taken to Nakuru General Hospital for treatment.
The medical report reveals that t the victims sustained 10% of burn injuries. They were discharged two months later.
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The children also testified against their father on how he locked them in the house, and left them with burn marks on their bodies.
The case will be further heard on June 21.
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