Four men in Toto Shopping Centre in Kuresoi escaped death by a whisker when a man believed to be a drug addict went amok and poured petrol on them, before setting them ablaze.
According to residents the men had been playing cards in the house when a disagreement ensued over a football match that had been played last weekend.
"It is luck that no death has resulted from the incident because after the man lit the four with fire he wanted to lock the door and leave them to burn inside the house," said James Kimani, a neighbour.
Kimani said that the man had also attacked another man on Monday before he took to his heels. He has since been arrested and is waiting to be charged in court.
Kuresoi police boss David Wambua said that the four men whose faces and hands had completely been disfigured were rushed to Molo District Hospital by neighbours and are said to be responding well to treatment.
Wambua urged football fanatics to be careful of the people they engage in arguments with.
"Some people just can't stand heated arguments or they may have some mental issues like in this case", he said.