On May 10, 2025, the community of Ugunja Sub-County in Siaya County gathered in a heart-wrenching ceremony to lay to rest nine family members who tragically lost their lives in a suspected arson attack. The victims, a father, mother, and their seven children, ranging in age from six months to 17 years, perished in the devastating fire that engulfed their home on April 22, 2024. The fire is believed to have been set by unknown assailants, with speculation suggesting that it was connected to an ongoing land dispute.
The burial ceremony, held at Ninga Primary School grounds, attracted thousands of mourners, including family, friends, and relatives of the deceased. In a somber atmosphere, the community expressed their grief and their calls for justice. The victims were interred in a mass grave at their home in Upanda village, Sigomere sub-location, where they had once lived together as a family.
As the emotional proceedings unfolded, mourners placed wreaths on the nine white coffins, each adorned with photographs of the deceased, as a symbol of remembrance and tribute. The ceremony also saw dozens of children, some of them classmates of the victims, singing sorrowful hymns and reciting heartfelt poems in honor of their lost friends. The heartfelt tributes were a testament to the deep impact the loss had on the entire community.
In the wake of the tragedy, local leaders gathered at the funeral to offer their condolences and call for swift action from the authorities. Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol, Ugunja politicians Otieno Alur, and Eng. Fred ZB Owino were present at the ceremony. They urged the government and law enforcement agencies to expedite their investigation and ensure that those responsible for this horrific act are brought to justice.
The politicians also appealed to the residents of the area to exercise patience while the authorities continue with their investigations. They emphasized the importance of allowing the investigative agencies the time they need to gather the facts and establish the truth behind the fire. Additionally, they encouraged the local community to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or individuals, as such tragedies might have been avoided with stronger communal cooperation and awareness.
Otieno Alur, one of the leaders present, made a passionate call for greater unity within the community. He stressed that stronger ties among neighbors and a collective commitment to ensuring the safety of one another could have potentially prevented this tragic event. His words resonated deeply with the mourners, many of whom were grappling with the shock and disbelief that such an atrocity could occur in their own neighborhood.
The fire, which claimed the lives of an entire family, has left a deep scar on the community of Upanda village. Many residents are still struggling to come to terms with the brutal nature of the crime and the devastating loss of so many young lives. The victims’ loved ones have vowed to seek justice, determined to ensure that the perpetrators face the full force of the law.
The tragedy has also sparked a broader conversation within the region about the rising concerns of land disputes and their potential to escalate into violence. The local leaders have urged the government to take a closer look at how land issues are handled and to implement measures that prevent such conflicts from spiraling out of control. In the meantime, the residents of Upanda village are left to mourn their loss, while hoping that justice will ultimately prevail for the nine innocent lives that were taken far too soon.
