The County Government of Siaya, led by the CECM for Governance, Administration, and ICT, Mr. Agunda Ochanda, alongside the Red Cross Society Siaya Branch, visited and offered condolences to the family of a 45-year-old man who tragically lost his life along with his wife and seven children in a devastating fire in Upanda Village, Sigomre Ward, Ugunja Constituency.
The tragedy, which occurred in the wee hours of 23rd April, claimed the lives of a 45-year-old man, his wife, and their seven children, including a high school student preparing for national exams and a six-month-old baby.
According to preliminary investigations by the police, the fire that consumed the family’s homestead is suspected to have been a deliberate act of arson linked to a recently resolved land dispute. A 17-year-old suspect, the youngest of six siblings from a neighboring family involved in the dispute, has been arrested and is assisting police with investigations. The suspect’s family had lost the land case in court just two months prior, a ruling that reportedly fueled lingering tensions. Witnesses recounted the horrifying scene, stating that they saw a padlock on the door of the house as the fire raged, trapping the family inside. The fire, fueled by petrol, spread rapidly, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
The County Government delegation, which included the acting Deputy County Commissioner of Ugunja Sub-County, Mr. Peter Okwara, visited the site where villagers, friends, and relatives gathered amidst the charred remains of the homestead. Mr. Okwara assured the bereaved of swift legal action, stating that the National Police Service, in collaboration with relevant authorities, is working to bring the perpetrators to justice. He emphasized the need for lasting solutions to prevent such conflicts, urging residents to resolve disputes through internal and established legal channels to avoid future tragedies.
Representing Governor James Orengo, Mr. Agunda Ochanda pledged comprehensive support to the bereaved family, including financial assistance to help them rebuild their lives. He reiterated the Governor’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice, vowing that those responsible for this heinous act would face the full force of the law.
The delegation also included Directors led by Mr. Francis Aola (Disaster Management), Mr. George Okello (Governance), Mr. Chrispine Omondi (Public Communication), the area ward administrator Mr. Gerson Ochieng, and the Ugunja Sub-County Administrator Mr. Isaac Achola, among others.