Father, mother and son buried in Mumias after house fire

Three family members who died in a house fire late last month in Mumias, Kakamega County were buried yesterday in an emotional send-off. 

Eugene Omunyore, 23, his wife Miriam Echesa and their one-year-old son were burnt when their house was set ablaze by unknown people at Shikalame village in Mumias West constituency on January 30.

The man and son died a day after the arson attack at a local hospital while the woman succumbed one week later.

Initial investigations show that someone poured petrol around the house mainly on the door and the windows before setting it on fire.

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The heavy smoke and screams by the victims alerted relatives who were asleep in the same compound.

Apollo Kalio while eulogising his son recounted how distress calls made by the two during the fateful night woke up the entire neighbourhood but frantic efforts by the villagers to put out the fire failed.

Omonyore was eulogised as a peace-loving man and one who cared more about the well-being of his young family.

The young father managed to get his wife and son out of the burning house by the time villagers arrived to help out.

"We found my son busy struggling to rescue his wife and his only son who were unconscious. He really loved his young family," said Kalio.

"We have been left with a huge gap in this family and we pray to God to give us healing."

According to Kalio, his wife was forced to sneak out through the front door "after my house was set on fire by the same attacker."

“The back door is made of metallic and could not catch fire giving room for us to escape," said Kalio.

Mourners called on the police to speed up the investigation and apprehend the culprits behind the heinous act.

David Nambaka, a youth leader from the area condemned the incident and urged police to fast track investigations.

Police are still trying to unravel the incident that has left villagers in shock.  Earlier, a jerrycan with petrol, a torch, and a knife was recovered in the compound.

No suspect has been arrested in connection to the heinous act.

Former Sports CS Rashid Echesa and Lugari MP Ayub Savula were among hundreds of mourners who attended the burial.

“What happened to this young family is sad and they didn’t deserve to die in such a cruel manner,” said Echesa.