Nine members of same family killed in suspected arson over land dispute

A family of nine was killed in a suspected arson in Sigomre, Ugunja Sub-County in Siaya County, on Tuesday, April 22. The dead were identified as the homeowner Ouma Adala Opondo, 45, and his wife, Jacinta Ouma, 38. Also killed in the fire were the couple’s children Lorine Ouma, 17, Sheila Ouma, 12, Meline Ouma,15, Davis Ouma, 9, Brian Ouma, 7, Noela Ouma, 6 months old, and Leon Ouma, 5. Rosaline Atieno Okello was arrested in connection with the attack. Police said that Okello was found with a container that had gasoline. Sylvester Omondi, the caretaker of the home, said the fire started around midnight. He added that the main house was engulfed in flames and locked from the outside. Police said a court order was recently issued to evict the family from the disputed land. The eviction was scheduled for Thursday, April 24. In a retaliatory move, local residents burned the suspect’s home and farm structures.