Three people including a newborn-baby were electrocuted in Naivasha following a heavy downpour that left a trail of destruction.
The rains perceived to be showers of blessing to residents of Kongoni trading center, brought tears and pain after electricity cables fell on to several houses setting them on fire.
During the Sunday night incident, property worth thousands of shillings was reduced to ashes before firefighters from Naivasha sub-county managed to contain the inferno.
Trouble started after heavy rains accompanied by strong winds rocked the semi-arid area felling trees and electricity poles.
A witness James Mwangi said that one of the cables fell on one of the wooden houses electrocuting a mother who was breastfeeding the minor.
A middle-aged man who tried to flee from a nearby house was also electrocuted as the fire spread to nearby structures according to Mwangi.
“We thought the rains were a blessing as we have suffered a lot due to the drought but we have ended up in mourning as three people have been electrocuted,” he said.
Naivasha assistant county commissioner John Opondo confirmed the incident adding that electrical fault was to blame for the incident.
He said that the bodies had been collected and taken to Naivasha sub-county hospital mortuary while Kenya Power had launched investigations into the incident.
“The Easter weekend has ended on a tragic note for us as we have lost a mother and her newborn baby and a 30-year-old man who were electrocuted,” he said.
Opondo added that over ten families were left homeless after the fire gutted their houses adding that they were making plans to assist them.
Meanwhile, an outing for a group of family members ended on a sour note after one of their daughters was hit and killed by a speeding matatu in Naivasha town.
The 15-year-old girl died while undergoing at Naivasha sub-county hospital where she had been rushed following the accident in Naivasha town.
A witness said that the teenager was among family members who were walking along Mbaria Kaniu road when the matatu knocked her down.
“She was seriously injured on the head and rushed to hospital but unfortunately she died while undergoing treatment,” confirmed Naivasha OCPD Samuel Waweru.
