5 children killed in separate fire cases

Five children died while a mother and her baby sustained injuries when their homes caught fire in two separate incidents in Nakuru.

In one fire, Kuresoi police boss Mr David Wambua said three children, Sharon Chepkemoi 15, Joylene Chebet 14 and nine-year old Clinton Kipkemoi were burnt to death in a fire suspected to have been started by a jiko.

The house was engulfed in flames after some items, believed to have been clothing, fell into the fire.

The dead children’s mother, Irene Kirui, managed to escape with her one-week-old baby, albeit, with serious injuries. The two are recovering at Murinduko Health Centre in Kuresoi.

Mr Wambua said the deaths were avoidable and cautioned residents to put out fires that were not in use.

“Unattended fires do more harm than good, especially late at night,” said Mr Wambua.

In the second blaze, Molo police boss Mr Job Lesikinwa said that five-year-old Justus Ondagua and his younger sister Monica Moragwa, aged four ,had been left alone in the house by their mother, who works as a casual labourer at a nearby farm.

The fire, whose cause has not been established, reduced their six-roomed house made of timber to ashes. 

The children are reported to have been locked in the house when the fire broke out, making it difficult for them to escape the raging flames.

Mr Lesikinwa warned parents against leaving their children alone without a minder.

He said it was ill-advised to lock up children of that age alone in the house because it posed a great risk.

“Parents and guardians should be responsible over their children’s welfare, if they are to be left behind then a caretaker must be around to ensure their safety,” said Mr Lesikinwa.

He said cases of fire outbreaks were rampant in the area, especially in slums, where most of the houses are made of timber.

Police are investigating the cause of both fires.