9 family members killed in Upanda arson attack buried on disputed land
Emotions ran high on Friday, May 9, 2025, as hundreds of mourners gathered at Ginga Primary School in Ugunja sub-county to pay their final respects to nine members of the same family, tragically killed in a suspected arson attack three weeks ago.
The victims — a father, mother and their seven children — perished when a fire engulfed their home in the early hours of April 23, 2025. The blaze completely consumed the main building of the homestead in Upanda village, leaving only two sons alive: one was at college at the time, while the other had spent the night at their grandmother’s house.
The mass funeral service, which followed a week of prayers and mourning, culminated in the interment of all nine victims in a single grave on a disputed nine-acre parcel of land that has been at the heart of a 20-year property row.
Autopsy results released last week confirmed that all the deceased had suffered 100 percent burns. The victims were identified as Richard Ouma Opondo and his wife Jesinta Anyango Ouma, along with their children Seline Awino Ouma, Loyce Achieng Ouma, Melvin Ouma, Lyon Otieno Ouma, Loela Atieno Ouma and Devis Ochieng Ouma.
Nine caskets of varying sizes lined the school compound, symbolising the gravity of a tragedy that has left the local community reeling.
Surviving relatives believe the arson attack is connected to the longstanding land dispute, and they have expressed frustration at what they term as the police’s sluggish handling of the investigation.
“We are burying my brother and his entire family, yet we remain dissatisfied with the way the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is handling this case,” said Leonard Ochieng Opondo, Richard’s elder brother.
“We took this matter to court years ago. When a verdict was finally delivered, we approached the OCS, who referred us to the OCPD, who in turn, directed us to the County Police Commander. It has been a vicious cycle.”
He added, “As a family, we feel abandoned by the government. We are now squatters on our own land. If anyone thinks my words are a threat, let them come and end my life. But I will speak the truth.”
Leonard claims that the DCI has attempted to downplay the case by treating it solely as an arson incident, ignoring the possibility of a deeper motive rooted in the land dispute.
“We are not at peace. Someone out there planned this, and our fear is that justice may not be served.”
Pamela Awuor Omondi, another mourner, urged the family to remain strong and not to let the spirit of the deceased rest until justice is found.
The children’s maternal grandmother, Monica Apondi, gave an emotional tribute, recounting how her daughter had visited her just two days before the attack.
“Had I known what awaited my daughter when she left, I would have insisted she stay an extra night,” she said. “I even warned her against getting involved in the land dispute, but she felt her children needed her at home.”
Apondi pleaded with the government to support the two surviving sons, who are now orphaned and left traumatised.
Person of interest
Meanwhile, police have arrested the prime suspect in the case, 56-year-old Christopher Okello Owino.
He was apprehended at his home in the Kianda area of Kibra, Nairobi, where he was found having supper with his children. Authorities say he had gone into hiding after learning he was being pursued.
According to investigators, Owino is believed to have travelled to Upanda with accomplices in the early hours of April 23 and carried out the attack before returning to Nairobi. His arrest came after a tip-off from residents who found his movements on the night of the fire suspicious.
His wife had earlier been arrested in Sigomere after police recovered an oil can believed to have been used to start the fire. Detectives have also confiscated Owino’s mobile phones for forensic analysis to help identify other possible suspects.
Ugunja and Kibra police are now coordinating to consolidate evidence and determine the next course of action.
