Devastating house fires swept through Kericho County, claiming multiple lives and leaving communities in shock.
Latest tragedy occurred on Sunday night, January 11, 2026, saw a 42-year-old education officer, Jackline Cheruiyot, and her eight-year-old daughter perish in a blaze that engulfed their home in Poiwek village.
The fire at Cheruiyot’s timber house in Poiwek village broke out around 4:30 AM, spreading rapidly as the victims slept.
Neighbors, upon hearing screams, rushed to assist. Patrick Kiprotich, Jackline’s brother, recounted the desperate attempts to save them.
Collins Kipyegon, a rescuer, stated, “We managed to open the door to rescue her. However, an explosion of the gas cylinder forced rescuers to flee for their own safety”.
The intensity of the fire and the timber construction of the house overwhelmed residents’ efforts.
This tragedy follows closely on the heels of another fatal fire just 24 hours prior in Kugerwet Village, Belgut Constituency, where an 82-year-old woman, her 52-year-old daughter, and their 20-year-old house help died on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
All three were burnt beyond recognition when their bungalow was engulfed in flames around 2:30 AM. Rose Chepkorir Chemosit, who lost her mother, sister, and their worker, received a distress call around 2 AM.
“When I got home, I found the flames had already engulfed the house, and there was very little we could do to save them,” she stated.
Kericho County Police Commander James Ngetich confirmed that detectives are actively investigating both incidents to establish the causes.
He urged residents to ensure the safety of electrical and gas appliances to prevent similar tragedies. The alarming frequency of these fires has led residents to express deep concern, with some calling on authorities to intervene.
In a separate incident, a family in Ngecherok village suffered an estimated KSh5 million loss after a fire destroyed their seven-bedroom house and two vehicles.
The community is grappling with profound grief. Kapsoit Ward MCA Paul Chirchir appealed to the Kericho County Government to provide counseling services to the affected families.
Former Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter also extended his condolences, stating, “This is a painful loss for the family and the entire community, and I stand with them during this difficult moment of grief”.
