Nine family members die in suspected arson

Tragedy has struck Upanda village in Ugunja, Siaya County, after a devastating fire claimed the lives of nine members of the same family in what is believed to be an arson attack early Wednesday morning.

Robert Odongo, the assistant chief of Sigomere sub-location, confirmed that the blaze occurred at around 1 am.

"We received a report from the village elder and rushed to the location, only to find the house already engulfed in flames," Odongo stated.

The administrator confirmed that investigations into the incident are already underway. He noted that the victims' efforts to flee were in vain, as the door had been locked from the outside.

He disclosed that the fire claimed the lives of Ouma Opondo, his wife, and their seven children.

"We also found jerricans and matchboxes at the scene, which are believed to have been used to transport petrol and ignite the blaze," he added

Eyewitness Sylvester Omondi reported that the suspected arsonists also tried to target a nearby home.

Speaking to the media, Okoth Okoyo, a family member, disclosed that the incident is believed to be connected to a land dispute.

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