Murder most foul: Family wiped out in 'revenge' arson

It is an incident that has left Upanda village in Sigomere sub-county stunned and in utter shock. A multiple murder incident that has taken away nine innocent lives, leaving behind broken relatives and distraught neighbors.

When they retired to bed on Tuesday evening in their two-roomed house, Ouma Opondo, his wife and their seven children did not anticipate that it was the last day they would be spending the night together as a family alive.

Outside their house, a suspected arsonist or arsonists were lurking in the dark, waiting for them to fall asleep and strike. Detectives investigating the case believe the incident was well-planned out by the attackers.

So cruel was the attack that the attackers also locked the door of their house from outside with a large padlock to prevent the family from escaping the fire.

Yesterday, as friends and family struggled to come to terms with the suspected arson that wiped an entire family, an atmosphere of sorrow and pain hovered around the compound.

A few meters away from their home, the home of a suspect linked to the fire incident was also still emitting the smell of smoke after angry residents stormed it and torched it.

The neighbors claimed the incident could have been prevented if the family had addressed a longstanding land tussle that had severed their relationship with a cousin.

“It could have been prevented. The family was a humble family that never had any issues with other people,” said Francis Ouma, a villager.

He argued that wiping an entire family was an heinous act that had never been witnessed in the area and had left everyone shocked. "Even if the attackers had a problem with the parents, they should have spared the children," he says.

The deceased were identified as Lorine Ouma (17), Sheila Ouma (12), Meline Ouma (15), Davis Ouma (9), Brian Ouma (7), Noela Ouma (6) Leon Ouma (5) alongside their mother Jacinta Ouma (38).

Yesterday, The Standard established that Lorine, the couple’s eldest daughter had been preparing to sit her exams this year at Uludhe Secondary school when her life was cut shot.

 “It could have been prevented,” mourns Maureen Awino, a neighbor.

According to witnesses, their death could be linked to a longstanding land dispute dating back to 2002.

According to the police, Opondo allegedly won the case and got an eviction order against his cousin. The eviction was to be carried on April 23, 2025, the same day their house was torched.

From the court files, the cousin had accused Opondo and another respondent of irregularly and fraudulently transferring a parcel of land to their names.

He also alleged that the transfer of the suit property and the subsequent subdivision by the duo was fraudulent, irregular and void and as a result, the deceased’s estate suffered loss and damages.

Yesterday, a relative of the nine members who perished during the alleged arson attack said the land dispute has taken more than a decade.

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

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

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

Sylvester Omondi, a witness and a caretaker in a neighboring home recounted how they struggled to rescue the family but were unable as the hot flames kept them at bay.

He said they heard the voices of the family members crying for help until the voices faded.

The suspected arsonists had locked the door from outside with a large padlock, further blocking the family from escaping.

Energy CS and the immediate former Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi called for calm and assured the public that he has already engaged the police and relevant investigative agencies to move swiftly, conduct a thorough investigation, and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Police have detained a suspect identified as Rosaline Atieno.