Clement Wafula told a Kenyan court that he had started fires during post election violence in Kenya last year, reported the East African Standard. He told the court he had presented himself at two police stations since that time asking to be charged with arson because he is fearful of reprisal from Mungiki gangs for his involvement in the fires.

The man was ordered to undergo psychiatric tests in January when he initially made the claims. Despite police finding no evidence of his involvement in the fires he was subsequently found fit to plead. He insists that he needs a minimum 30-year sentence to be safe from the reach of the outlawed Mungiki gang, which he claims have killed friends of his for being involved in arson acts.

Kapsabet's senior resident magistrate, Gerald Mutiso, ordered further investigation into his claims, home life and workplace, prior to another hearing on October 21.

Folklaw thinks that's one case it's hard to hold a torch to.