By D, KNA
Shock and fear gripped residents of East Gem Ward, Homa Bay County, after suspected arsonists burnt down the house of Rangwe Legislator, Dr. Lillian Gogo, on Friday night.
Rangwe Sub-county Police Commander, Magdalene Chebet, said the house was set on fire, while the Member of Parliament was away.
She said property of unknown value was lost during the inferno, adding police had launched investigations to establish the cause of the fire.
Chebet explained that preliminary investigations had so far ruled out an electrical fault as the cause of the fire.
“The area where the home is located had a power blackout, when the fire broke out,” she said.
Ms Chebet said no one was at home when the inferno started.
“We found neighbours gathered at the scene. They were, however, unable to get into the compound as the gate was locked,” she said.
She noted that police officers who arrived at the scene broke the gate and tried to put out the fire using water from a bore hole in the homestead, but only managed to save a few items.
“The officers only managed to save a few items from the kitchen,” she said.
Dr Gogo said she was in Kisumu when she got a call that her house was on fire. “I was in Kisumu for the funeral arrangements for the late former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga. I am equally shocked about what happened,” the Legislator said.
She called on the police to thoroughly investigate the incident and apprehend suspects who may have been involved in the arson attack.
Chebet said Dr Gogo had earlier asked for reinforcement of her security.
She said the Legislator has a male body guard, but had asked her office to provide her with a female police officer as well and the request was still under consideration.
“We were still considering her request when the fire incident occurred,” the Police Commander said.
She called on the public to volunteer any information which can assist in apprehending the suspects.