At least Six people died, including five from the same family after villagers set ablaze on the house they live in on Thursday night in Irongo Constituency in Migori county. They were burnt beyond recognition by villagers who accused them of witchcraft. Several others were injured and taken to Migori County Referral Hospital.
Joel Awuonda, a member of the family, escaped death narrowly last week after he was attacked by machetes following a family feud. Elijah Dwallo, the father of Omondi, who got a jail term of 12 years, had allegedly threatened to kill Awuonda for causing his son’s imprisonment who later died to an ailment allegedly caused by Dwallo’s family.
Police identified the five burnt as Maritha Amollo, Helida Akinyi and her three children. However, the police cited they were looking for an eight-year-old girl who went missing. Their bodies were taken to Rosewood mortuary in Rongo town.
Kibet Kirui, Rongo sub-county police commander, stated that four family members escaped with serious burns. “So far, we have not made any arrests but we are following leads, suspected arsonists will be brought to book soon,” he added.