A tragic electrocution incident at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay County has left one person dead and a student nursing serious injuries, raising fresh concerns over safety standards during maintenance work in institutions.
The incident, which was reported on March 31, claimed the life of 35-year-old electrician Isaiah Nyasuti. According to police reports, Nyasuti was conducting routine electrical checks and repairs at the university’s Knowledge Hub building when the accident occurred.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the electrician had climbed into the ceiling of the building’s first floor alongside a first-year student. While carrying out the maintenance work, Nyasuti reportedly came into contact with a live electrical circuit, leading to his immediate electrocution.
Attempts to manage the situation quickly turned into a second tragedy when the student also suffered an electric shock. The impact of the current violently threw the student through the gypsum ceiling, causing him to fall to the floor below. Authorities confirmed that the student sustained severe spinal injuries and was rushed for urgent medical attention.
Nyasuti was taken to St Paul’s Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The injured student was admitted to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital and remains in serious condition as doctors continue to monitor his recovery.
Police officers visited the scene and have since launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the accident, including whether proper safety procedures were followed. The body of the deceased was transferred to the mortuary at the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital pending a postmortem examination.
The incident comes amid growing concern over the rising number of electrocution cases across the country. Safety experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of handling electrical faults without proper protective equipment. Authorities continue to advise members of the public and workers to avoid attempting rescues using bare hands and to always use protective gear such as insulated gloves and footwear.
In a separate incident, police in Othaya have launched investigations into the mysterious death of 42-year-old Geoffrey Gichacha. His body was discovered lying on the roadside along the Thunguri–Kiandemi road on the morning of April 1.
According to authorities, the body had reportedly been spotted earlier by members of the public before the matter was reported to police. The deceased, a resident of Murang’a County, was later moved to the Nyeri Provincial General Hospital mortuary, where a postmortem examination is expected to establish the cause of death.
Police have not made any arrests in connection with the Othaya incident, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance, both in workplaces involving electrical systems and in addressing rising cases of unexplained deaths. Authorities continue to urge the public to report any suspicious incidents and adhere strictly to safety guidelines to prevent avoidable tragedies.
