Three children die in a fire incident at Yamumbi in Uasin Gishu county
Charred house after a fire incident at Choma Ninety in Uasin Gishu. Photo/Jeremiah Choge
A sombre mood engulfed Yamumbi area at the outskirts of Eldoret City after three children died in a fire incident.
According to Kapseret sub-County Police boss Zephania Kamren, the children who died included a girl aged one-and-half years and two(2) boys aged three(3) and eight(8) years.
Mr Kamren said the incident happened in an area known as Chuma Ninety.
"The children were sleeping alone in the house as their mother had gone out in town for night duties," said Mr Kamren.
He said the children were burned beyond recognition due to the incident that occurred around midnight.
“We are investigating the cause of the fire and the children were burned badly along with all other property in the house,” he added.
Mr Kamren said police from the nearby Yamumbi police station were called to the scene but found out that the children had already died.
“We will follow up to ensure the truth is known”, said Mr Kamren.
Police moved the bodies to the Moi Referral Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) mortuary.
Mzee Onesmus Githinji who is the grandfather to the deceased children said he had visited them before the unfortunate incident and found the children without their mother who is his daughter.
However, he said he found a strange woman in the house who claimed to be a friend of the mother of the deceased children.
Mr Githinji added that he asked the woman to leave the house after which he checked and saw a jiko in the one-roomed house but it was not lit.
“Before I left the house I checked to see if they were alright and then pulled the door to lock but not completely,” said Githinji.
He claimed that the fire must have been started by someone for unknown reasons.
He said he had been frequently visiting the house where he always found the children alone.
“I have gone through a lot to bring up these children and it’s unfortunate they have died in the fire,” said a sad Mr Githinji.
Mr Kamren asked parents to be close to their children and warned of action against those who abdicate their responsibilities.
