Esther Chemanda has left Cheptokol village in shock after the stunt she pulled.
The fourth wife of Pusiye Domochola, set her co-wives’ three children ablaze, sparking a frantic manhunt by the local police
Sadly, the chilling tragedy unfolded in Cheptokol village, Kacheliba, West Pokot County.
In addition, the heart-wrenching incident took place on Sunday night.
The suspect, Esther Chemanda, reportedly locked the innocent minors inside a house.
This was before setting it ablaze, leaving them no chance of escape.
Furthermore, the victims, Kibet Pusiye (12), Krop Pusiye (9), and Enock Pusiye (11), belonged to the first, second, and third wives respectively.
Lack of attention from husband
Allegedly, the motive behind this gruesome act stemmed from the suspect’s discontentment with her husband.
Moreover, Chemanda resented the fact that he spent most nights at the homes of his other two wives.
Inevitably leaving her and the first wife alone.
Gradually, tensions escalated as she even resorted to burning her husband’s clothes a few months prior.
Living arrangement
Interestingly, the first and fourth wives cohabited, while the other two co-wives lived separately.
They had taken their children, who were attending a nearby school, to a night church crusade on the fateful evening.
Innocently, the first wife entrusted her co-wife with the care of the children and gave her access to the house keys.
Oblivious to the sinister turn of events that would transpire.
After the crusade, she spent the night at her relatives’ house, as it was late.
Gruesome act
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in the early hours of the morning.
Julia Cheyech, a neighbour spotted flames engulfing the home while milking her cow.
Speedily, she alerted others, and they rushed to the scene, discovering the lifeless bodies of the three children on the floor.
Besides the community grappling with shock and grief, the police launched a manhunt for the missing suspect.
Chemanda on the run
Nonetheless, Chemanda is believed to have fled to neighbouring Uganda.
The distraught father, Pusiye Domochola, expressed his profound sorrow.
Further, he stated that he received the tragic news while at his other residence in Orolwo.
Amid the turmoil, the family and community members seek answers, pushing for autopsies to determine the exact cause of the children’s deaths.
Equally important, the bodies of the deceased children are awaiting further examination.