A somber atmosphere has settled over Kawino sub-location in Rachuonyo South sub-county following the tragic deaths of an elderly couple who were burnt to death while asleep in their home.
Area Assistant Chief Eric Otieno reported that the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday when 70-year-old Joseph Onunga and his 50-year-old wife, Judith Mucha, were engulfed in flames in their Yala B Village residence.
Neighbors noticed the fire too late, and despite their attempts to rescue the couple, their efforts proved futile. Otieno mentioned that the couple was likely in a deep sleep when the blaze ignited.
Once the fire was extinguished, residents broke down the door to find the couple’s charred bodies inside.
“We arrived to find the fire already at an advanced stage.
After extinguishing it, we broke in and discovered the two bodies,” Otieno explained.
This incident is not isolated; the Assistant Chief recalled a similar event last year when unknown individuals attempted to set the same house ablaze.
“Last year, someone threw a small container of petrol to ignite the house, but the elderly couple managed to raise an alarm, and villagers quickly extinguished the fire before it could spread,” he said.
The motive behind this latest attack remains unclear, raising concerns among residents about safety in the area.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Meanwhile, the couple’s bodies have been transported to the Rachuonyo South sub-county Hospital Mortuary in Oyugis for further examination.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, locals are calling for increased security measures to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of residents.
The loss of Onunga and Mucha has left a deep impact, with many remembering them as cherished members of the community.
