A tragic fire incident in Kapsokwony, Bungoma County, has claimed the lives of three family members, including an elderly woman and two young boys. The devastating event occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning in Chebaibai village, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
The victims included a 72-year-old woman and two brothers aged 12 and six. The house, which was engulfed in flames, belonged to the elderly woman. All three were asleep when the fire broke out. By the time help arrived and the fire was brought under control by local residents, it was already too late. The charred remains of the victims were found in the bedrooms, indicating that they had likely been overcome by the smoke and flames while sleeping.
Authorities confirmed that the victims were burnt beyond recognition, and their remains were moved to a local mortuary, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigations. Detectives who visited the scene on Sunday are working to determine the exact cause of the fire.
The origin of the fire has yet to be established. Investigators are exploring the possibility of arson, especially given the history of land-related disputes in the region. Land conflicts have frequently led to similar destructive acts in the area, and police have noted a pattern of unresolved arson cases some still pending in courts. Whether this incident fits into that troubling trend remains under investigation.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over safety in the region, where arson and other fire-related incidents have occasionally been linked to deep-rooted land issues and rivalries. Community leaders are calling for enhanced security and more proactive measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
In a separate but equally distressing incident in Bungoma County, two children were injured after being struck by lightning. The incident occurred on Saturday evening in Kaboywo village, located in the Kaptama area of Mt Elgon. The children, aged 13 and nine, were inside their house having lunch when the lightning strike occurred.
Fortunately, both children survived and were admitted to a nearby hospital in stable condition. However, the event has once again highlighted the vulnerability of residents in the area to natural disasters, especially during the rainy season when lightning strikes are more frequent.
There have been increasing calls for the installation of lightning arresters and other preventive infrastructure in the region to protect families from such threats. Residents argue that many of these incidents could be mitigated or entirely prevented with better preparedness and safety measures.
Both the fire in Chebaibai village and the lightning strike in Kaboywo have left local communities grappling with grief and anxiety. The incidents underscore the urgent need for improved emergency response mechanisms, better housing safety standards, and community awareness programs aimed at reducing risks associated with both man-made and natural hazards.
As investigations continue into the cause of the deadly fire, the affected families and community members are left to pick up the pieces. Meanwhile, efforts to care for the injured children and calls for better disaster preparedness gain momentum in hopes of preventing future tragedies.
