Remains of an animal burnt during the morning fire incident [PHOTO|    Joseph Amunya|West Fm]

Property estimated at over KSh 800,000 was last night destroyed after unknown arsonists set on fire a cereals store and a cowshed at a farmer's home in Mukimila Village, Matunda Sub-location, Nzoia Location in Likuyani District.

According to the affected farmer Mr. Joash Musonye, flanked by his son Patson, the inferno exploded at around 4 am.

The older Musonye said that he was informed of the fire by his grandson who was preparing to leave for school.

“I was deep a sleep when I was awakened by my grandson who knocked at the door at about 4:00am and informed me that he had seen flames of fire in the store, I rose up and dashed out  quickly  only to find my store engulfed in big flames,” said Mzee Musonye.

A section of the burnt store[PHOTO|Joseph Amunya|West Fm]

Their efforts to fight the inferno were futile which ended up consuming assorted property that had been stored inside, three dairy animals and several sheep.

The animals were burnt beyond recognition but three other dairy animals and five sheep escaped with serious injuries.

“Our efforts to try and salvage part of the property inside were thwarted by the fierce inferno and we couldn’t rescue anything, only three cows and five sheep escaped after managing to cut the ropes we had used to tether them,” he added.

Musonye said that he suspected his food store may have been set on fire using a highly flammable substance, saying that the tremendous explosion witnessed was clear evidence.

 Area police boss John Leshimpiro said that Police have launched investigation aimed at arresting and establishing the motive of the arson.

Escalating crime

Elsewhere residents of Marakusi and Mautuma Location are now blaming the Police from Mulimani Police Station following escalating crime in the area.

Speaking to West FM led by Isaac Kilatu, they accused the Police of failing to apprehend suspects even after receiving tip offs besides releasing those arrested without pressing charges.

Referring to a recent case, the residents observed that Police set free one of the three suspects who were arrested from a neighboring District while transporting a stolen animal under unclear circumstances.

The released suspect, they added was again arrested yesterday evening after he was found stealing chicken from a resident’s house at Marakusi Village. The suspect was about to be released again save for intervention by area District Officer Lawrence Ngare.

The residents are therefore calling on the Police Department to shuffle all the Officers to introduce a semblance of sanity and order at the station.