The distress call alerted Margaret Atieno to the fire engulfing Toi Market, urging her to rush over and save her belongings.
Early that morning, Atieno woke up her son, Kevin Ochieng, to join her in the rescue efforts, as Ochieng’s wife also owned three shops in the market.
Initially, Ochieng focused on salvaging items from his mother’s stall before moving on to his wife’s businesses. However, the situation took a devastating turn when Atieno was informed that her son was missing.
In the ensuing chaos, someone identified Ochieng’s body, which had been engulfed in flames.
“Kuna kijana alishout ndio huyu Billy. Nikangalia nikaona kijana yangu akiwa amechomeka,” she recounted, meaning someone shouted the name Billy, and upon looking, she saw her son burning.
Tragically, the heartbreak did not end there. As Atieno was still grappling with the loss of her son, she received the news that another family member, her sister-in-law Janet Kweyu, had also perished in the fire.
The death of Kevin Ochieng has had a profound impact on his younger sister, Pauline Atieno, who relied on him for support.
Pauline, who is preparing to join Kenya Medical Training College, had counted on her brother’s assistance to cover her college fees.
Ochieng, a headteacher at a private school in Kibera, was instrumental in planning for her education.
Pauline’s grief is compounded by the loss of her brother, as she reflects on how his death could have been prevented.
“Zima moto ingefika mapema ndugu yangu hangeungua hapo ndani, Billy hangechomeka,” she lamented, expressing her belief that if the fire brigade had arrived sooner, her brother would have survived.
With Kevin Ochieng’s tragic passing, Pauline’s aspirations to start college on September 10 are now uncertain, leaving her future in jeopardy.
