Emuhaya mourn seven victims of Kibra fire tragedy

Dinah Amisi (mother of Ernest Ombima, who died alongside his wife and three children in the Kibera fire) clutches a photo of one of her deceased grandchildren during a press interview at her home in Esirulo Village, Emuhaya Sub- County. Seven of the eight people confirmed dead in the inferno hailed from Emuhaya Sub- County in Vihiga. [Brian Kisanji, Standard]

On Saturday last week, at least eight people were killed and six others injured after a fire broke out in Makina, Kibra Constituency.

And as the nation reels from the tragedy, a sombre cloud settled heavily over Emuhaya Constituency in Vihiga County.

Seven out of the eight people confirmed dead in the inferno hailed from this rural community.

In Esirulo, one family is mourning five members, while in nearby Musimbi, another family grieves the loss of their two kin.

Among the victims was Ernest Ombima, 36, who tragically died while shielding three of his children from the flames. Alongside him perished his wife, Flora Ambani (33), and their children Getrude Amisi (9), Silas Omboko (3), and Stephen Mukuna (2).

News of their deaths reached their home hours after the fire had been extinguished.

Ombima, a trained tyre repairman and budding mechanic, had moved to Nairobi in search of better opportunities for his young family.

According to his mother, Dinah Amisi, he had only recently returned to the village and left again on May 15 after completing some job-related tasks.

"My son was here and left on May 15, after he had attended to some work around the village," she recounted tearfully, clutching a photo of one of her deceased grandchildren.

The family first heard about the fire on the radio, but confirmation of their worst fears came through a distressing call from relatives in Nairobi.

Now, the family, already economically vulnerable and without significant land or savings, is appealing for help.

Just two kilometres away, another family in Musimbi Village is grappling with its own devastating loss.

Harrison Liaha (24) and his sister Yvonne Okwoku (18) died in the fire. Liaha's wife, though critically injured, miraculously survived. Their two-year-old child was rescued from the flames.

The siblings had recently reunited in Nairobi-Liaha was a church keyboardist, while Yvonne had just completed secondary school and was preparing to start college.

Their uncle, Enos Omenda, confirmed the deaths after sending family members to Nairobi.

Witnesses said the fire, which started at around 4.30 am on Saturday, caught them off guard. It spread rapidly, overwhelming residents as they tried in vain to extinguish it.

Kilimani police commander Patricia Yegon said investigations have been launched into the cause of the fire.