Two children burnt to death after neglect by drunk mother

An 8-month-old baby and a 3-year-old child were burnt to death Sunda evening after a fierce fire razed their house at Kaptimbor Estate in Kabarnet Town, Baringo County.

Kewamoi Assistant Chief Kipchumba Kiprono who confirmed the incident told the press at the scene that the mother had allegedly locked them inside the house to go drinking.

Kiprono said rescuers attempted to pull out the children from the burning house but their efforts were futile since the fire had already blanketed the house.

Further more, the fire engine from the Baringo County Government, which was at the scene, exhausted its water while the fire was still raging leaving rescuers helpless.

Emmanuel Chumba, a resident who spoke to journalists at the scene accused the parents of the deceased for being drunk and abdicating their responsibilities.

Chumba said the neglect children by drunken parents was notably common in the area as residents overindulge as illicit brews are readily available.

The concerned resident accused the police for failing to conduct a thorough crackdown of the sprawling illicit brew dens in Kabarnet Town and its surroundings.

The parents, who were allegedly drunk, were still at large when the bodies of their children were being taken to the Baringo County Referral Hospital mortuary.

The grandmother of the deceased children told the public that the father, Kenneth Kipchumba, a GSU officer, was on leave while the mother, Elizabeth Chepkonga, who was unaware of the incident was seen heavily drunk.

Police, led by Kabarnet Officer Commanding Police Station, OCS Timona Imbusi have already launched investigations into the cause of the fire.

This incident comes against a backdrop of a countrywide crackdown on illicit and second-generation brews that is rocking most parts of the nation.