A wave of sorrow has washed over Kong’onge Village in Rachuonyo West Sub-county, Homa Bay County, following the death of a 30-year-old woman who reportedly ended her own life after setting her house ablaze, resulting in the deaths of two of her children.
Veronica Anyango was found hanging from a tree near her residence after deliberately starting a fire inside her home, where her children were confined.
Kayoo Sub-location Assistant Chief Alfred Mbara revealed that initial inquiries point to the woman using gasoline to initiate the blaze following a conflict with her spouse, Charles Abiero.
The official noted that information suggests the couple had been facing marital issues reportedly connected to the husband’s plans to take another wife.
Neighbors initially mistook Veronica’s actions for cooking upon seeing smoke emanate from the house. Their alarm mounted as the smoke grew thicker while she remained stationary outside the compound.
Community members responded to cries for help from children and managed to save two youngsters. Tragically, two other children remained inside the burning structure and perished.
The remains of the woman and the two deceased children were transported to the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary for autopsies, with Kendu Bay police initiating an investigation into the incident.