A cloud of tragedy, loss and shock surrounded Upanda village in Ogunja, Siaya County as Ouma Opondo, his wife Jecinter Onyango, and their seven children, aged between six months and 17 years, were burnt in their house at the dead of the night of Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025.
Sylvester Omondi, who was sleeping in the next compound, said he woke up to thick fumes of smoke but was helpless to save the family.
Omondi, the caretaker of the home, said he was woken up by the smell of petrol at around midnight.
He said the fire had not spread, but he could not save the family since the door was locked with an extra padlock.
“The smell of petrol woke me up, but the fire had not spread. I screamed for help, but people did not wake up. They started the fire and added an extra padlock to the door,” Omondi said.
“They could not open the door, and they died one after the other. The children were calling out my name because I was the person close to them.”Leah Mwanzia “We have never witnessed what happened here today. We are very sad and out of words.”
Fate Suspected To Have Been Engineered
Preliminary investigations reveals that the deceased family had been engaged in a prolonged land scuffle with their neighbor, identified as Roselyne Atieno— a woman suspected of carrying out the attack. She is also a relative to the beaten family.
Relatives explained that the court ruled in favour of the late Opondo and issued the orders for the suspect to vacate immediately.
“The family had gone to the police after the court issued vacation notice. I think it is this incident that caused the tragedy,” Leonard Joseph Ochieng, a relative said.
Omondi also confirmed that Opondo had obtained a court order directing his cousin to vacate the disputed land by Thursday, 24thApril, 2025.
He revealed that Opondo had been battling his cousin, only identified as Owino, in court over the said piece of land for the last two decades.
“The court order had given his cousin up to Thursday (today) to leave the parcel to the rightful owner,” Ochieng told The Nation.
MCA’s Confession, Warning
Area MCA Andrew Omwende said the residents found a jerrican of petrol, which can be used as evidence.
He asked the government to deploy security officers to the area to ensure peace prevails.
“The truth is that a jerrican of petrol was found there, and that is an exhibit. The situation here is tense. Anything can happen right now as we speak. The government should come as fast as possible,” Omwende warned.
Mob Justice, Police Acton
The home of the woman suspected to be behind the attack was torched by angry villagers.
Police arrived later and took the charred bodies of the family members to Ambira Sub-County Hospital mortuary.
National Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri said one suspect had been arrested.
“Early today, about 4 am, in Sigomere location, nine family members are believed to have been locked in from outside their house before the residence was set on fire.
One suspect, 48-year-old Roselyne Atieno Okello, is in custody assisting in the investigations,” said Mr Muchiri.
He added that the police suspect the murders were related to a land dispute.
“Detectives are leaning towards a land dispute involving two families as the motive, but remain open to other possibilities,” he added.
Siaya County acting police boss Everline Kemboi said police have started investigations and promised to arrest all the suspects.
