A trader active in Kondele lost his life last night after burning to death inside a shop under mysterious circumstances.
The Victim, known in the area as “Jagem”, was working as a part-time watchman at the shop and was inside the premise when fire broke out under circumstances that are not yet clear.
Jagem is a well-known trader at Kondele where he sells chapatis and mandazis. Sources told Kisumu City News that recently, he took up a side-hustle as a night watchman at the shop to make extra money after he was blessed with a baby boy.
Apparently, Jagem was locked inside the shop by the shop-owner and could not therefore escape from the burning shop whose steel door was locked from outside with three huge padlocks.
According to a source interviewed by Kisumu City News, the fire may have been caused by a candle Jagem lit in the shop as he dozed the night away.
Another source speculated that the fire may have been caused by an electric fault although investigations are still underway.
An eye-witness who was in another block nearby and who was among the first to arrive at the scene told Kisumu City News that Jagem shouted for help as fire razed the shop but no one came to his rescue because it is curfew time and no one ventures outside during curfew hours.
After news of the incident broke out, police arrived at the scene and took away the body as bystanders watched with sadness and sorrow.
A huge crowd gathered outside the shop to try and understand the tragic event as others salvaged property.
Observers who learnt about Jagem’s painful death wondered how he may have been locked inside the shop when he was supposed to be working as a night watchman.
Jagem is well known in Kondele as a jovial, calm and welcoming person. His sudden death under tragic circumstances has shocked his clients who cannot yet come to terms with the fact that he is gone.
Kisumu City News could not reach the shop owner for comment.
Reported by KCN Correspondent
