Two students killed as lightning strikes school

Nandi, Kenya: Two high school students died and a third was seriously injured after they were struck by lightning in Nandi County.

Grief engulfed Chepkemel Secondary School after the Form One students were killed by the thunderbolt in the 4pm incident.

According to the school's principal Leonard Wafula Nyongesa, the tragedy struck during games time.

He said the other students were doing cleaning when the incident happened.

"It is unfortunate that the incident claimed two of our students. The school has not experienced such a calamity in the last 10 years," he said.

He added: "Surprisingly, the electricity was not affected by the the lightning" he stated.

Nyongesa said the injured student is admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret and he is said to be in stable condition.

He added that the bodies of the two students were taken to MTRH mortuary.

"Soon after the tragedy, we notified the parents of the students before informing the police who came and took the bodies," he stated.

He called on the county government and the area legislator to assist in installing lightning arresters in the institution.

Similar incident

"I held talks with the area MP Kirwa Bitok on the matter and he has promised to help fix the problem," he added.

Last year, eight pupils from Roponywo Primary School in West Pokot County were admitted to Kapenguria District Hospital after they were struck by lightning following a heavy downpour in the area.

The 5pm incident occurred as the pupils were preparing to go home.

The school does not have lightning arresters.

More than ten people were killed by lightning in West Pokot County last year.