Nine family members die in suspected arson in Ugunja

Grief has engulfed Upanda village in Ugunja following the tragic death of nine family members in a suspected arson attack in their house on Wednesday morning.

According to the assistant chief of Sigomere sub-location, Robert Odongo, the incident happened around 1 am.

“We got information from the village officer before we rushed to the scene and found the house on fire,” said Mr Odongo.

The administrator, who said that investigations into the matter have commenced, stated that attempts by the victims to escape were futile as the door was closed from outside.

He revealed that those burnt in the house were Ouma Opondo, his wife, and their seven children.  

“We also recovered jerricans and matchboxes that are suspected to have been used to carry petrol and burn the house,” he said.

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Sylvester Omondi, an eyewitness, said the suspected arsonists also attempted to attack a neighbouring home.

While addressing the media, Okoth Okoyo, a relative, revealed that the matter is linked to conflict over land.

“There has been a land issue in this family that has gone on for more than ten year,s and we are highly suspecting that this could be the cause of the attack,” said Okoyo.