Police officers in Kisumu have launched a manhunt for a woman who allegedly left her 5-year son alone in the house on Christmas day, resulting to his death.
The woman is reported to then have gone on a drinking spree before the house caught fire, razing the house down and burning the boy to death in Obunga Estate on Tuesday in Kisumu.
Confirming the incident, Kisumu County Police Commander Job Boronjo said that neighbours found the woman enjoying herself at a nearby joint.
He added that they have launched further investigations as they seek to prosecute the suspect.
"From our investigations, the mother was out in a nearby club. She left the boy locked in the house. When the neighbours notified her of the sad news they noticed that she was drunk,” he told the Nation.
"The safety of the child should come first. The police will have to pursue the case,” he added.
Mr. John Otieno, a neighbour, said that they were alarmed by a huge fire and smoke emerging from the house occupied by the woman and the child.
However, he added, they could not manage to save the 5-year-old as he had already passed away by the time they put out the fire.
“We noticed the house was burning and managed to put out the fire. Unfortunately, the boy had already succumbed to the fierce fire," he said.
The body of the deceased was taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital morgue as they await further investigations.