A family in Kirinyaga County is counting losses after their livestock and other goods were destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

According to official reports, the fire started at night in the cattle holding area, just a few meters from the main house, and spread to other portions of the homestead.

PHOTO | COURTESY police line

“I was in the main house when I heard noise coming from outside, and when I rushed out, I saw the hay on fire. The strong wind only helped to spread it, causing massive destruction to the cow shed,” said family member Eric Kamande Gichangi.

Kirinyaga County firefighters arrived on the site shortly after the fire started.

"Our officers responded quickly to the distress call and managed to extinguish the fire," said Samuel Kariuki, one of the firefighters on the scene.

According to the statement: "We spoke to the owner of the homestead, and from our preliminary analysis this may have been an arson attack, but the police are investigating."