Father, Wife and Two Sons Die in Suspected Acid Attack in Thika

Four members of a family died following a violent domestic incident in Kiganjo Estate, Thika, on Friday evening.

Police report that the incident occurred during a confrontation between a man and his estranged wife inside their home. The man, identified as Martin Kamau, is alleged to have used a corrosive substance during the dispute, causing severe injuries to his wife and their two young sons. All four later died from the injuries sustained.

Preliminary information indicates that Kamau and his wife, Phylis Wambui, had been living separately for several months due to ongoing disagreements. On the day of the incident, Wambui returned to the house to prepare a meal for their children. The situation reportedly escalated into an argument behind closed doors.

Relatives state that the children had briefly left the house and returned during the dispute. They were then caught in the confrontation. It is alleged that the man used the corrosive substance on them when they re-entered the house. Neighbours, alerted by the children’s cries, responded quickly but found the family with severe chemical burns.

Kamau and the older child died shortly after the incident. The younger child died while being transferred to a referral hospital. Wambui, who had been receiving intensive care, died the following day.

Police have recovered containers believed to have held insecticide and a corrosive agent. These items are now part of the ongoing investigation, as officers work to establish the exact sequence of events and identify the substances used.

Residents have expressed shock at the incident, describing the family as known within the community.