Nine family members have lost their lives in a suspected arson attack in Sigomre, Siaya County.
The Tuesday night incident left residents of Sigomre in shock after they discovered that the entire family had been wiped out under unclear circumstances.
Sylvester Omondi, the caretaker of the home, said he discovered the fire around midnight after he woke up to the smell of petrol.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of all nine family members; a man, his wife, and their seven children, with four of the victims burnt beyond recognition.
Among the deceased were a form four student at a local day school and a six-month-old baby.
The charred bodies have been preserved at the Siaya County Referral Hospital mortuary pending post mortem examinations. Nothing was salvaged from the burning house as the structure and its contents were destroyed by the blaze.
The area assistant chief, Robert Odongo, confirmed he received reports of the fire at about 1:00 a.m. before coordinating with the police who rushed to the scene, only to find the house still ablaze.
Assistant chief said preliminary investigations suggest arson as the cause of the fire, although authorities are investigating the exact circumstances.
