Nine dead in suspected arson attack in Siaya

By Newsflash Correspondent

A devastating fire claimed the lives of an entire family in the quiet village of Upanda, Siaya County, late Tuesday night, in what police are now treating as a deliberate arson attack.

Moments before midnight, the peaceful night was shattered by desperate cries for help from the home of Mr Ouma Opondo. Thick smoke and flames quickly engulfed the residence as terrified neighbors rushed to the scene. Among the first to respond was Mr Sylvester Omondi, a caretaker from a nearby homestead, who said he was alerted by the strong smell of petrol.

“I stepped outside and saw Opondo’s house already ablaze,” said Mr Omondi. Inside were Mr Opondo, his wife Jecinter Anyango, and their seven children.

Despite Omondi’s attempts to rally the neighbors, help arrived too late. The family of nine was unable to escape. What puzzled Omondi most, he said, was the sight of a large padlock on the outside of the door, raising suspicions of foul play. “With the smell of petrol and the door locked from outside, I realized this wasn’t an accident,” he told Newsflash.

As the fire raged, Omondi recalled the fading cries of the children. “Their voices went quiet one by one, and soon all we could hear was the fire.”

The children ranged in age from six months to 17 years. The eldest, Loice Auma, was preparing for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams at Uluthe Secondary School.

Signs of tragedy everywhere

When reporters visited the charred remains of the home, signs of the tragedy were everywhere—burned school books, twisted metal boxes, and dying embers. Grieving villagers gathered at the scene in disbelief.

“This is something we only hear about on the radio. Losing an entire family like this… and a bright student too,” said Lenah Mwanzia, a parent representative.

Police later moved the remains to Ambira Sub-County Hospital mortuary. According to National Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri, a suspect, 48-year-old Roselyne Atieno Okello, was taken into custody early Wednesday morning. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was deliberately set after the family was locked inside.

Possible land dispute

Muchiri confirmed that detectives are investigating a possible land dispute as the motive behind the attack. “We suspect the attack is linked to a long-standing land conflict between two families, but we are exploring all angles,” he said.

Siaya County acting police boss Everline Kemboi assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and all responsible parties will be brought to justice.

Sources familiar with the case revealed that Mr Opondo had been entangled in a protracted legal battle over land with a cousin, identified only as Owino. The dispute, ongoing for nearly 20 years, ended recently with the court awarding the land to Opondo and ordering Owino’s eviction by Thursday of the same week.

Mr. Omondi, well-acquainted with the court proceedings, said, “The order gave Owino a deadline to vacate the land.”

Mr Leonard Ochieng, an uncle of the late Jecinter Anyango, shed light on the origins of the feud. He said the cousin had initially been given a portion of land in exchange for helping the family transport a relative’s body from Nairobi years ago. However, he allegedly expanded the boundary unlawfully and seized two additional acres. Opondo contested the expansion in court.

Retired village elder Ms Wylkister Atieno, who participated in the initial land allocation, testified that Owino had shifted the original boundary. “When we revisited the land with administrators, I confirmed he was occupying land that wasn’t originally his,” she said.

Anger and grief overwhelmed the community in the aftermath of the blaze. Enraged villagers stormed Owino’s compound and torched three of his houses.

Local ward representative Andrew Omuende condemned the violence but urged the police to ensure justice is served. “No one should take the law into their own hands. But losing nine lives is devastating. The perpetrators must be held accountable,” he said.

The investigation continues as the village of Upanda mourns an unimaginable loss.