A 56-year-old man, Christopher Okello Owino, believed to be the prime suspect in a devastating arson attack that killed nine family members in Upanda village, Sigomere, Ugunja Sub County (Siaya County), has been arrested in Kibra, Nairobi.
Authorities apprehended Owino at his residence in the Kianda area while he was reportedly having dinner with his children. According to police reports, he had gone into hiding after learning that law enforcement agencies were actively pursuing him in connection with the fire.
Detectives received a credible tip-off about Owino's location just hours after the horrific blaze in Sigomere, which wiped out an entire family. Suspicion arose when Owino told locals he had visited his rural home on the same night the fire occurred.
In a swift and coordinated operation involving local leaders, police officers successfully tracked and arrested Owino. He is currently being held at Kibra Police Station as investigations continue. Kibra Sub County Police Commander Patricia Yegon confirmed the arrest and noted that coordination is ongoing with Ugunja police to align investigative details before further legal action.
Earlier in the day, Owino’s wife was taken into custody in Sigomere after police recovered an oil can believed to have been used to ignite the fire. During preliminary questioning, Owino acknowledged knowledge of his wife's arrest and her detention at Ugunja Police Station.
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Forensic experts have also seized Owino’s mobile phones for digital analysis to trace potential accomplices. Sources close to the case allege that Owino recruited a group of individuals and traveled with them to Upanda village during the early morning hours, where the fatal attack took place. He reportedly returned to Nairobi shortly afterward.
In a bizarre turn of events, Owino allegedly hosted a prayer session at his Kibra home with members of his church on Wednesday evening, just hours after villagers retaliated by torching his rural house in Siaya County.
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