A 17-year-old Form 3 student named Emanuel Otieno tragically died after being struck by lightning in Anduro village, Siaya County. The incident occurred while he was on his way home from a church service with his cousins.

Emanuel, a student at Ambira Boys’ High School, had been sent home to collect school fees. The lightning struck, despite the absence of rain at the time. His cousins, who were nearby, managed to escape unharmed and quickly sought help.

Emanuel was only 400 meters away from his relatives when the lightning hit. After the incident, he was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. The local assistant chief expressed confusion over the circumstances, noting that the weather did not show a storm. After the tragedy, Emanuel’s body was taken to a private hospital mortuary for an autopsy.

This unfortunate event comes shortly after another incident in Kisumu East sub-county, where nine students from St. Aloys Mayenya Secondary School were hospitalized due to injuries from strong winds that damaged their classrooms during heavy rains.

The school principal reported that the thunderstorm had caused significant damage to the school infrastructure. This includes two classrooms and the staff room.

The community is mourning the loss of a young life. This tragedy highlights the dangers posed by lightning strikes. These strikes can occur unexpectedly. The incidents serve as a reminder of the need for awareness and safety measures during adverse weather conditions. This need exists even when it not be stormy.