A village in Siaya County is in mourning after nine members of a single family perished in a suspected arson attack in Ugunja Constituency on Tuesday night.
Residents of Upanda Village in Sigomre woke up to the devastating news that an entire household a man, his wife, and their seven children had been wiped out in a mysterious fire.
Authorities suspect the incident may have been deliberately set, possibly linked to a long-standing land dispute involving the family.
Four of the victims were burnt beyond recognition, while the others were found lifeless in the remains of the charred house.
Among the deceased were a high school student preparing for national exams and a six-month-old infant, raising further questions and concern.
Nothing could be salvaged from the inferno. Shocking images shared online showed the home completely destroyed, with personal belongings reduced to ash.
The bodies have been moved to the Siaya County Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations as police continue their investigation.
Authorities confirmed that one suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the attack.
In a retaliatory move, enraged residents descended on the suspect’s home, setting both the main house and surrounding farm structures ablaze.
Law enforcement has since heightened security in the area to prevent further violence, as tension remains high.
In a separate incident late Tuesday, two boda boda riders sustained critical injuries in a road accident just a few meters from Sigomere Police Station on the way to Madungu.
Eyewitnesses described the crash as a “near-fatal” collision.
The injured were rushed to Siaya Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.
Police have launched investigations into both incidents and urged residents to remain calm as they work to uncover the truth behind the tragic events.
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