By REUBEN OLITA
April 28, 2026| A midnight domestic dispute turned into a fiery nightmare Monday when an enraged man allegedly set a rental house ablaze after finding his partner missing, destroying a five-unit residential plot and causing losses estimated at KSh 6 million.
The incident occurred just after midnight in this quiet Teso North Sub County town. According to witnesses, the man returned home to House No. 4 and, upon realizing his partner was not there, flew into a violent rage. He reportedly fetched petrol, poured it inside the house, and lit a match. The fire quickly spread to neighbouring units.
Four of the five units were occupied at the time. One was vacant. The roof structure was completely destroyed, and property of unknown value was reduced to ashes.
Neighbours acted swiftly, rushing to evacuate tenants and salvage belongings. Thanks to their rapid response, no lives were lost.
The estate owner, retired diplomat Levy Enurgat, stood amid the smouldering ruins, visibly shaken.
“This is inhuman. Lives would have been lost if neighbours had not intervened quickly,” he said.
Enurgat attributed the tragedy to unresolved matrimonial conflicts and urged families to seek peaceful dispute resolution through family elders, religious institutions, or the courts. “It’s easier than taking the law into your own hands,” he added.
Residents also raised serious concerns over the delayed emergency response. Veteran journalist and neighbour Kennedy Epalat revealed that a county fire engine was stationed just 400 metres away but took nearly two hours to arrive.
Only one trained firefighter was available and was quickly overwhelmed. Epalat called on the county government to employ more firefighters, reinstate suspended personnel, and improve emergency coordination to prevent future tragedies.
Another resident, Derrick Chogea, described the suspect’s actions: “He demanded tenants open their doors. When they refused, he poured petrol through the window and set the house on fire before fleeing.”
A lone firefighter, Mark Wesonga, mounted a heroic rescue effort witnessed by Malaba OCS Charles Juma and Teso North Sub County Probation Officer. Wesonga managed to contain the blaze long enough to prevent further catastrophe.
The suspect remains at large. Police have launched a manhunt.