Police launch investigations as fire razes Kisumu county offices

A section of the Kisumu County Finance office that was destroyed by fire on Sunday evening. [Courtesy]

Police in Kisumu have launched investigations into the cause of fire that destroyed documents at the County's finance offices.

The fire that started in one of the offices at the Finance department on Sunday, is said to have destroyed important documents containing IFMIS and payments to contractors.

 A police officer involved in the investigations told the Standard that they were working to establish if the fire was as a result of arson or electric fault.

"It is still too early to firmly say if it was arson but we will know what really happened," said the officer who sought anonymity.

Governor Anyang' Nyong’os director of Communication, Mr Aloice Ager confirmed that police were investigating the fire. He said the fire incident occurred on Sunday evening.

"On Sunday, February 9 in the evening, a fire incident occurred at one of the finance offices in Prosperity house but was quickly managed by the County Fire Brigade. Police have commenced investigations," said Mr Ager.

He added: "A comprehensive brief will be provided as soon as we receive information from investigative officers."

On Monday, county officials were unable to confirm the extent of the damage.  They could also not confirm the type of documents and information destroyed by the fire.

The damaged office on the second floor, just next to the governor's office was sealed off for the better part of the day as Kenyans on social media speculated about the possible motives of the incident.