A 25-year-old woman identified as Patience Cherotich is facing arson charges after allegedly torching her ex-boyfriend’s house.
Court papers indicate that the unfortunate incident occurred on August 10 along TRM Drive in Nairobi’s Kasarani estate.
“On the 10th day of August, 2023, at Veeland Apartments, you did willfully and unlawfully set fire to a structure used as a bedroom, valued at Sh120,000, belonging to Benjamin Obeten,” read part of the charge sheet.
Visiting ex-boyfriend
Apparently, Cherotich and the Nigerian national Obeten had separated even as she sought to visit him.
Their meetup did not go as planned. Cherotich allegedly caused chaos when she arrived at the foreigner’s house and even threatened to kill him.
Obeten reportedly raised alarm and security guards within the apartment rushed to the house and ejected Cherotich.
Hours later, the Nigerian national supposedly allowed the lady back into his house to spend the night there on condition that she would leave the following morning.
Cherotich allegedly slept on the couch while her ex Obeten retreated to his bedroom.
Kasarani Police Station
Drama ensued at around 5am the following day, when the 25-year-old lady supposedly demanded entry into the foreigner’s bedroom.
Obeten unlocked the door in efforts to shut her. He left her there and went into the living room.
A few minutes later, Cherotich joined him in the living room and asked for fare. The man gave her KSh1,200 and the lady left.
Obeten was alerted to a fire in the bedroom which razed down his beddings among other items. Neighbors helped put out the fire to avert more damage.
The foreigner filed a report at Kasarani Police Station leading to the arrest of Cherotich.
She pleaded not guilty to charges of arson before Senior Principal Magistrate Agnes Mwangi of Makadara Law Courts.
Cherotich pleaded for lenient bail, claiming she was a single mother to a seven-year-old child who was left unattended while she was arrested.
She was granted bail of KSh200,000. The case will resume on November 14.
