Kenyan Newspapers, July 17: Isiolo Woman Allegedly Kills 5 in Suspected Love Triangle
The Kenyan newspapers on Thursday, July 17, reported on various topics shaping national conversations, with politics dominating the pages.
Source: UGC
Elsewhere, a newspaper highlighted a tragedy that befell children; they were killed in a deliberate fire.
1. People Daily
The newspaper reported on the killings of four children alongside their mother in Bulapesa, Isiolo town.
They were reportedly set on fire by another woman in a suspected love triangle.
The devastating fire broke out around midnight on July 16, completely consuming the home, resulting in the loss of all lives inside and destroying possessions whose value remains unconfirmed.
Public anxiety grew when it was revealed that the fire had been deliberately set by a woman allegedly seeking revenge due to a romantic entanglement.
In response, outraged community members located the accused, took her life, and set her house ablaze.
Meanwhile, just a few hundred meters away at Bulapesa cemetery, preparations for the burial of the five victims were underway.
Abdi Duba, a relative of the deceased, shared that upon receiving word of the fire, the family rushed to the scene in hopes of saving their loved ones.
Sadly, their attempts to extinguish the flames proved futile due to the intensity of the inferno.
"The firefighting department did not respond to our distress calls. We do not know the motive of why the fire was started, and we just hope that the authorities will investigate the matter," said Abdi.
Area Chief Abdi Dida acknowledged the tragic event, describing it as deeply distressing.
He revealed that the children who perished in the fire were aged between 7 and 15.
"This is a sad incident that has never happened in Isiolo, and it has caused a lot of tension. The suspect has also been burned down by an angry mob who also wanted to go to the school where her children school to cause harm to them. Fortunately, quick action was taken to protect those children, and they are in safe hands," said Dida.
He called on the public to remain calm and give law enforcement the space to carry out proper investigations.
Meanwhile, Isiolo elder Omar Godana denounced the tragedy and appealed to families and community members to resolve personal disputes peacefully, without resorting to violence.
2. Daily Nation
The newspaper reported on the looming political showdown as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) prepares for by-elections.
The minipolls will act as a rehearsal for the 2027 vote, pitting President William Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua, and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The IEBC, which had been without commissioners for over two years, is now fully operational following the swearing-in of chairperson Ethekon and six new commissioners: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdallah.
The IEBC has already received official notifications from the Speakers of the National Assembly, the Senate and County Assemblies on 22 vacant seats—six parliamentary seats, one senatorial seat, and 15 ward representatives.
Among the seats are the Baringo county senatorial seat, which fell vacant after the death of Senator William Cheptumo (UDA) in February this year, and the Banissa county assembly seat, whose MP, Hassan Kullow (UDM), died in a road accident in early 2023.
By-elections will also be held in the Malava and Magarini constituencies following the death of the incumbent and annulment of the election by the court, respectively.
The Ugunja seat remained vacant after Opiyo Wandayi was appointed CS for Energy and Petroleum, while Geoffrey Ruku of Mbeere North was appointed the CS for Public Service.
Kasipul MP's seat fell vacant after the murder of Ong'ondo Were.
Eyes will be on the Malava and Mbeere North constituencies, where Gachagua will be flexing his political muscle against Ruto.
Gachagua's DCP party is expected to field candidates in the two by-elections.
In Mbeere North, analysts say the UDA will have to use a lot of force to capture the seat that was previously held by the DP party led by former Attorney General Justin Muturi.
3. The Standard
The Standard reported on the woes yet to be faced again by Juja MP George Koimburi.
He is to answer charges of conspiracy to impede the course of justice and making false statements in connection with the kidnapping allegations.
Senior Chief Magistrate of the Milimani High Court in Nairobi, Benmark Ekhubi, missed the warrant of arrest against Koimburi, and two other suspects failed to appear in court yesterday.
The three have been ordered to appear in court on August 5, 2025, to answer the charges against them.
Meanwhile, four suspects who were being investigated in connection with the alleged plot to kidnap Koimburi have pleaded not guilty to three charges against them.
The suspects Grace Nduta Wairimu (Kanyenya-ini MCA), Peter Kiratu Mbari, David Macharia Gatana, and Cyrus Muhia have been charged that on May 25 in Mugutha area, Juja constituency, they conspired to pervert justice by staging a fake kidnapping of Koimburi.
According to the prosecution, the act was aimed at preventing Koimburi from being arrested and brought before a Kiambu Magistrates’ Court to answer four charges in connection with a land fraud case, as directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in a letter dated May 20.
Koimburi and Peter Kiratu have also been charged with making false statements and publishing false news.
Koimburi, who is yet to plead guilty, is alleged to have, on June 7 at Karen Hospital via a YouTube account, made a statement to the media claiming that he was abducted and tortured by unknown persons – allegations which he knew to be untrue and intended to cause public alarm.
Kiratu, on his part, is accused of having reported to Officer Nelly Kabuu on May 25 at Mugutha Police Station that Koimburi had been abducted by masked men after attending a service at the Full Gospel Church in the area.
The report prompted officer Kabuu to enter the report in the incident log on May 25, 2025, a statement that Kiratu knew was not true.
4. Taifa Leo
The newspaper reported on another tragedy involving a primary school learner in Kakamega.
Kenya Power Distribution Company (KPLC) was heavily criticised for the death of a nine-year-old Grade 2 pupil, Clifford Amboka, who died after being killed by electricity on his way to Maraba Comprehensive Primary School, Mumias East.
The boy was electrocuted on his way to school on Monday morning after KPLC allegedly failed to take action despite being informed about the downed wires.
His death has sparked outrage among the public, with calls for accountability and compensation for the family.
The deceased’s father, Joel Ombaka, has called on the Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
