Mwingi Central deputy subcounty police commander Nicholas Mutua said domestic wrangles were to blame for the deaths. Evelyne Wanjugu, Mwai's only surviving daughter, was not in the house when the fire broke out. Wanjugu said her father kept threatening to kill the entire family after their mother demanded he leaves her house. Mwai had reportedly left and sold all his properties in his Katutu home in Kitui. A close relative told the Star the duo had differed and Mwai had been chased out of the house.

Source: The Star January 10, 2021 18:56 UTC