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Woman, 49, electrocuted in Mkuru slums, Nairobi

The woman touched a live wire oblivious of the dangers it posed, police said

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by CYRUS OMBATI

News14 June 2024 - 10:09
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In Summary


  • A second woman who tried to rescue the deceased sustained serious burns and was admitted to hospital in stable condition, police said.
  • Police said the deceased identified as Dorcas Matoke was hit by a live wire that was lying low in the area.

A 49-year-old woman was Thursday evening electrocuted in an incident in Mkuru slums, Nairobi.

A second woman who tried to rescue the deceased sustained serious burns and was admitted to hospital in stable condition, police said.

Police said the deceased identified as Dorcas Matoke was hit by a live wire that was lying low in the area.

The woman did not know the wire was live and dangerous, locals said.

When she was hit by the live wire, she screamed for help and a neighbour rushed to her help.

She was too hit and seriously burnt before she was rescued. Matoke had then died, police and locals said.

Police and Kenya Power and Lighting officials visited the scene and moved the body to the mortuary pending autopsy.

The officials said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Locals protested such incidents are rampant in the area.

This is the latest such incident to happen amid calls on Kenya Power to ensure proper safety measures to tame the trend.

The power utility blames among others illegal power connections for the deaths.

Most of the incidents are recorded in informal settlements, officials say amid operations to correct the mess.

On June 11, a 49-year-old man was electrocuted as he pruned a tree branch in a tragic incident in Naivasha.

Police said the incident happened at Nyondia Estate and involved Samuel Kariuki Waruga.

Witnesses said he was pruning tree branches on his farm when he accidentally came into contact with a live power cable that was hanging there.

He died instantly. Police were called to the scene and moved the body to the mortuary pending autopsy and other procedures.

Officials from KPLC were called to the scene to help in the probe.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending autopsy and other investigations.

Multi-agency teams have been moving around to implement measures to address the incidents.

These include the disconnection of illegally connected power and the pruning of trees near the power cables.

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