A cloud of grief and anguish hangs over Upanda village in Ugunja Constituency, Siaya County, Kenya, after a tragic incident claimed the lives of nine family members in a suspected arson attack. On the night of April 22, 2025, Richard Ouma Opondo, his wife Jacinta Anyango, and their seven children including a six-month-old infant perished when their home was engulfed in flames.
The devastating fire, which reduced their house to ashes, is believed to have been deliberately started. Preliminary investigations by local authorities have revealed that jerricans and matchboxes were recovered at the scene, suspected to have been used to douse the house in petrol before it was set ablaze. More disturbingly, the door was reportedly locked from the outside, suggesting a calculated act that left the family with no means of escape.
Only two of the family’s children survived the horror one was away at college in Nairobi, and the other was visiting their maternal grandmother. Their survival, while miraculous, is tinged with the overwhelming sorrow of losing their entire immediate family in one night.
The nine victims were laid to rest during a sorrowful mass burial held at Ninga Comprehensive School. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of mourners, local leaders, clergy, and officials, including Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol. Amid heartfelt eulogies and tearful goodbyes, calls for justice echoed loudly. Family members and community leaders urged law enforcement agencies to speed up investigations and ensure that the culprits face the full force of the law.
Jacinta Anyango’s mother, Mama Mary, appealed for emotional and financial support for the two surviving children to help them continue their education and rebuild their lives.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for effective conflict resolution and better security measures in rural communities. It also brings attention to land disputes and family feuds that can escalate into unspeakable violence if left unresolved.
