A sombre mood has engulfed Kong’onge Village in Rachuonyo West Sub-county, Homa Bay County, following a tragic incident that claimed the lives of a woman and two of her children.
The woman, identified as 30-year-old Veronica Anyango, was found dead outside her home after a fire broke out in the family house, leading to the deaths of two children who were inside at the time.
According to Kayoo Sub-location Assistant Chief Alfred Mbara, preliminary investigations indicate that the incident may have been linked to ongoing domestic disagreements between Veronica and her husband, Charles Abiero.
The administrator said reports suggest that the couple had been experiencing marital conflicts, allegedly stemming from the husband’s plans to marry a second wife.
Residents recalled noticing smoke coming from the family’s house and initially assumed that normal household activities were taking place. However, alarm grew when the smoke became more intense and the woman was seen unresponsive outside the compound.
Neighbours rushed to the scene after hearing children crying for help. Their efforts led to the rescue of two children, but two others were unable to escape the flames and lost their lives.
Police officers from Kendu Bay have launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The bodies of Veronica Anyango and the two children were moved to the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, where postmortem examinations are expected to be conducted.
The tragedy has left residents shocked and mourning the loss of the young family members as authorities continue with their investigations.
