Police investigate Siaya arson attack that left 9 family members dead
Police in Ugunja have launched investigations after a suspected arson attack that claimed the lives of nine family members in Sigomere location.
Confirming the unfortunate incident, Siaya County Commissioner Norbat Komora noted that the victims; Ouma Opondo, his wife Wilchister Anyango, and their seven children; Lorene (17), Melvin (15), Sheila (12), Davis (9), Ryan (7), Noela (5), and Leon (6 months old), were set ablaze while sleeping inside their house by unknown assailants.
The caretaker, Sylvester Omondi, who spoke to police shared details of the incident noting that he was awakened by the smell of petrol at around midnight.
Curiosity got the best of him prompting him to rush outside where he saw a conflagration consuming the main house which had been locked from outside.
He continued his narration stating that he desperately raised alarm and tried to break down the door, but his efforts were rendered futile.
Police arrived at the scene and helped put out the fire. With help from members of the public. Despite mounting efforts to rescue the victims, the family burnt beyond recognition.
The officers revealed that the arson attack was due to an unresolved land dispute.
Attesting to this, Leonard Ochieng’, a relative of the family, shared that the family had been embroiled in a long-standing land dispute and had recently won a court case demanding a local buyer to vacate the property.
“The family have had a 10-year tussle over land and cause of the death can be attributed to that,” he said.
Ochieng’ condemned the incident, calling on authorities to swiftly act and avail justice to the deceased family.
The area chief Robert Odongo also weighed in on the incident stating that a jerrycan with fuel fluids and a match box were retrieved from the crime scene
“We found a jerrycan with fuel fluids and a match box at the scene of the incident, “Odongo said, adding that the arsonists may have dumped them after accomplishing their mission.
The area Member of County Assembly Andrew Omwende also weighed in on the shocking incident, condemning the perpetrators as he called on security forces to promptly take action and conduct investigations.
He has also called on the community to stay calm and allow police to investigate the matter.
So far, one person identified as Rosaline Atieno Okello, has been arrested and a container suspected to have petrol recovered at the scene of crime.
The bodies were moved to Ambira Sub-County Mortuary pending autopsy.
