Chepngaina village, on the outskirts of Bomet, is in mourning after a 33-year-old man died by electrocution while trimming a tree branch near an active power line.
According to eyewitnesses, the deceased cried out for help from the top of a bluegum tree before falling to the ground, clutching the panga he was using.
Kenya Power officers stationed at the Bomet power station were quickly dispatched to turn off the electricity supply. They were joined at the scene by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) based in Bomet Central, who investigated the incident.
The man’s body was later transferred to the Longisa Hospital mortuary.
In the wake of the tragedy, area residents, led by John Kirui, called on Kenya Power to organize public forums to educate the community on safety precautions around power lines.
By Paul Ruto
