Man earns Sh1.5 million from Kenya Power for electric shock

NAIROBI: Failure to repair sagging electricity wires near a construction site has cost Kenya Power (KP) Sh1.5 million after the High Court found it liable of an electric shock accident.

Dismissing an appeal by KP, Justice David Onyancha said it was the responsibility of the electricity distribution firm to ensure the dangerous situation was rectified before the wires could harm anyone.

KP was challenging Sh750 000 award for injuries and pain caused to Bernard Mutuku after he sued on December 4, 2002 in the Chief Magistrate Court at Nairobi seeking damages.

Mr Mutuku, a manual labourer stated in his case that on November 15, 2000, he was working on the roof of a house in Komarock estate when he got electrocuted. He told the court he sustained severe burns on the scalp and forehead and lost sight in the left eye.

He blamed his injuries on the negligence of the State corporation.

According to Mutuku, the wires were sagging and swinging due to the blowing wind. He also stated they were erected too close to the perimetre boundary of the plot where the he was working.

However, KP denied responsibility and blamed it on Mutuku's own negligence, saying he did not mind checking where he was working from.