A 13-year-old Grade Five pupil has died after being electrocuted at Apuoche Comprehensive School in Kobama village, Kwabwai ward, Ndhiwa Sub-County.
The deceased, Byron Okeyo, reportedly died after coming into contact with a live wire connected to the school’s fence yesterday while playing with his classmates at the school’s playground.
Confirming the incident, Ndhiwa Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Lucy Ndemo said several of his classmates who attempted to rescue him were also electrocuted but survived with minor injuries.
“The pupil was electrocuted upon touching the barbed wire fence and could not be saved despite attempts by a few of his classmates to save him. They also suffered electric shocks but survived. Unfortunately the boy died on the spot,” said Ndemo.
Kenya Power officials who rushed to the scene disconnected the power supply to avert further danger.
Ndemo cautioned residents against illegal electricity connections, warning that such practices continued to expose communities to deadly risks.
She noted that preliminary investigations pointed to an illegal power connection that may have exposed the school fence to live current.
“We do not know how the live wire got connected to the fence. It may have been the work of members of the public who may have tampered with electricity because a large part of the fence had electric current,” she said.
The utility firm has since launched investigations alongside security agencies.
The body of the deceased was moved to Ndhiwa Sub-County Hospital mortuary as investigations into the incident continue.
