A sombre atmosphere has gripped Sosik Village in Bomet County following the deaths of two young children in a suspected house fire incident that police are investigating.
According to Sotik Sub-County Police Commander Sammy Choge, a woman identified as Brenda Chelangat Cheruiyot, 40, is suspected of locking her two children inside their home before setting the house ablaze on Monday night.
Police said the suspect allegedly returned to the house, where her children Enock Kiptoo, aged three, and six-year-old Aron Kipkirui were inside. She is accused of locking the door, setting the house on fire, and fleeing the scene shortly afterward.
Neighbours who heard screams and noticed flames coming from the house rushed to the scene in an attempt to save the children. However, they were unable to reach them as the fire had already spread throughout the structure.
The suspect was later traced by members of the public, who reportedly attempted to attack her before police officers intervened and rescued her. She was taken into custody and is currently being held at Ndanai Police Station as investigations continue.
Police officers visited and processed the scene before the bodies of the two children were moved to Kapkatet Mortuary, where they are being preserved pending further investigations and possible postmortem examinations.
The incident has left residents of Sosik Village mourning as authorities continue efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths.
