Man linked to attack that killed 9 family members to be transferred to Siaya after arrest in Nairobi

The prime suspect in the horrific arson attack that killed nine family members on Tuesday night in Sigomere, Ugunja Sub County, Siaya County, is set to be transferred back to Ugunja, where the crime occurred.

A Siaya County security team travelled overnight to Nairobi to collect the suspect, Christopher Okello Owino, who was arrested late Wednesday night at his home in the Kianda area of Kibra by detectives from Kibra Sub County.

Following the arrest, security teams from both Siaya and Kibra cross-checked their intelligence, which confirmed that Owino matched the identity of the suspect behind the attack.

The DCI team from Ugunja arrived in Nairobi with Owino’s wife, who was arrested earlier on Wednesday after police recovered a petrol can—believed to have been used in the arson—at their home in Upanda village, Sigomere.

Owino is accused of orchestrating the deadly fire that wiped out an entire family, allegedly fueled by a land dispute within the village.

Kibra Sub County Police Commander Patricia Yegon confirmed the arrest and noted that the suspect will be handed over to Siaya authorities for further interrogation and prosecution.

“The case is not ours, but once he is handed over to the Siaya team, they will interrogate him and gather more details, especially to determine if other individuals were involved,” said Yegon.

Investigations suggest that Owino returned to Kibra on Wednesday after allegedly being in his rural village, where the arson took place on Tuesday night.

Authorities in Siaya are expected to formally charge him in court after concluding their investigations into the attack that has left the entire region in shock.