A 33-year-old man was arrested after his 96-year-old grandmother died in a house fire in Siaya County in an incident police are treating as suspected arson.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in Ayoo B Village, Nyang’oma Sub-location within Siaya Sub-county.
Police said the victim, identified as Josphine Atieno Odongo, was trapped inside the burning house and was burnt beyond recognition after the fire spread rapidly.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspect, who is the deceased’s grandson, allegedly set the house on fire before fleeing.
The prolonged dry spell in the area is said to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, frustrating efforts by neighbours to rescue the elderly woman.
The motive for the alleged arson has not yet been established. Police said the suspect lived in the same homestead with his biological mother and the deceased.
A team of police officers visited the scene, which was processed and documented by Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) personnel.
The suspect was arrested shortly after the incident and is being held at Siaya Police Station as detectives continue with investigations.
The body of the deceased was moved to the Siaya County Referral Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances that led to the fatal fire.
