A 45-year-old woman died on Monday evening after being struck by lightning while feeding her livestock in Bungoma County’s Kabuchai constituency.
The local chief of the area, Maurice Nyongesa, confirmed the incident and urged residents to be cautious as El Nio rains continue to pound several parts of the country.
“I am told she had gone to bring back the cows that were grazing. However, when she got close to another person, that’s when the lightning struck and hit her,” Nyongesa said.
Nyongesa expressed his surprise at the incident, claiming that the lightning arrestors at Bwake were most likely faulty.
“What has shocked everyone is that she was struck a few meters away from the lightening arrestors at Bwake High School. It’s as if the arrestor is not functioning,” he continued.
The area chief has called on residents to continue exercising caution even as the rains persist and urged residents to stay away for the tall trees during the storm.
“Those living nearby should be cautious. If possible, people should avoid getting close to that tree when it’s raining,” he said.
Nyongesa says the community will stand in mourning with the affected family and turned to religion to express his support to the grieving family.
“We believe everything is in God’s hands; only God knows about death,” he said.
