Residents of Nziu village in Makueni County are struggling to come to terms with the brutal death of Daniel Nguyo Mututa, a 56 year old businessman and former aspirant for the Nziu Ward MCA seat. Mututa died after suffering severe burns when his car was set on fire during a family dispute.
According to local reports the tragic incident happened on Sunday evening at Mututa’s home. Witnesses say the argument involved his younger brother Kilonzo Mwania. The quarrel is said to have started over a debt of KSh 50,000 which had caused tension within the family for some time.
Around 5 pm neighbors reported hearing loud voices before flames suddenly rose from the compound. Investigators believe the suspect poured a flammable liquid on the vehicle while Mututa was inside. The fire spread quickly and thick smoke covered the area as the victim cried out for help.
People living nearby rushed to the scene and tried to pull Mututa from the burning car. Their efforts were delayed by the intense heat. Emergency responders later arrived and managed to put out the flames before rushing the badly injured man to Makueni County Referral Hospital.
Doctors fought to save his life but the burns were severe and covered much of his body. Medical staff placed him in intensive care soon after arrival. Sadly the former political aspirant died later that night as relatives waited anxiously outside the ward.
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Mututa was well known in the area due to his bid for the Nziu Ward MCA seat in the 2022 General Election. Though he did not win many residents remember his campaigns which focused on water access roads and development in the dry region.
Police confirmed that Kilonzo Mwania later contacted officers at Nziu Police Post and admitted he had started the fire. Authorities quickly moved to detain him. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Makueni have begun gathering statements from witnesses and relatives.
The suspect remains in custody as investigators prepare possible murder charges. Early findings suggest the attack may have been planned after the dispute over the money.