
A chilling crime has struck the heart of Bulapesa, Isiolo, where a deliberately set blaze claimed the lives of five family members—a 45‑year‑old mother and her four children, aged between 7 and 15. Authorities believe the inferno was sparked by a vengeful plot rooted in a suspected love triangle, triggering a wave of retaliation that culminated in the lynching of the alleged perpetrator by enraged locals.
Inferno of Revenge
Just before midnight on Tuesday, July 14, flames engulfed the family’s home. Neighbors’ frantic attempts to save the victims were thwarted by the fire’s ferocity and the absence of a functional firefighting unit in Bulapesa. Senior Chief Abdi Dida later confirmed the fire was intentionally set, believed to be a revenge attack stemming from romantic jealousy.
Community Retribution and Fatal Consequences
As news of the deaths spread, the community erupted. According to Eastleigh Voice, an angry mob tracked down the suspected arsonist, lynched her, and torched her home—just meters from the original crime scene.

Tragedy and Shock
The burning family was interred together later in the day following Islamic burial rites, a scene of collective grief at Bulapesa cemetery. Elder Omar Godana described the incident as “a tragic and violent event never witnessed in the area,” urging the community to embrace peaceful conflict resolution.
Rising Tensions, Police Warning
Chief Dida echoed the elder’s message, calling for restraint and law enforcement’s role in a full investigation—urgently intervening to protect the suspect’s children, who were at school when their mother was lynched.
A Grim Wake-Up Call
The explosion of extrajudicial violence underscores major concerns: no local emergency services, mob justice claims, and a community pushed to its edge by personal betrayal and grief. Authorities now face dual emergencies: probe the arson and address the lawlessness of vigilante killings.
What Happens Next
- Police investigations are underway to untangle the arson’s motive and identify any accomplices.
- Security has been heightened at local schools to safeguard the children of the lynched suspect.
- Local leaders are appealing for calm while advocating the use of lawful channels and traditional mediation.
This event sends shockwaves through Isiolo and across Kenya—raising urgent questions about public safety, emergency preparedness, and the devastating consequences of taking justice into one’s own hands.