Homa Bay couple killed by lightning as rains wreak havoc in Nyanza

Josephat Otieno and his wife Jael Anyango, 28, were killed in their house at Aluor Village, Lambwe East Location after they were struck by lightning. [James Omoro, Standard]

Three people were confirmed dead while several families were displaced in parts of Nyanza as the ongoing rainfall wreaked havoc.

On Tuesday, several families in Kisumu East and Nyando were still pondering their next move after flash floods forced them out of their homes. The floods left a trail of destruction and submerged several homes at Ofunyu and Mowlem villages.

In Homa Bay, however, three people including a couple were killed following a heavy downpour in the region.

Josephat Otieno and his wife Jael Anyango, 28, were killed in their house at Aluor Village, Lambwe East Location after they were struck by lightning.

Family members were shocked to find Otieno and his wife dead with their bodies lying on the floor on Monday.

According to Lambwe East Location chief Benard Ouma, the couple was watching TV when the lightning struck.

The lightning also destroyed electric cables used for supplying power in the house from a solar panel.

"We have woken up to witness a sad incident in which a man and his wife have lost their lives. They were killed by lightning during a heavy rainfall that pounded this area last night," said Ouma.

Aluor Village residents in Lambwe East Location grief the tragic passing of Josephat Otieno and his wife Jael Anyango. [James Omoro, Standard]

Meanwhile, the couple's two daughters aged six and four years escaped the tragedy.

The incident seemingly occurred when the children were already asleep. Little did the minors know that their parents had died until other family members opened the door.

"The children were found sleeping in chairs. They did not know the incident had occurred," Ouma said.

In another incident, a 38-year-old man identified as Fred Otieno was swept away by floods near Kodero beach in Rachuonyo North sub-county. His body was found near the shore of Lake Victoria.

The chairman of Beach Management Units in West Karachuonyo ward Samuel Osendo said Otieno was climbing a hill when he met his fate.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Samson Kinne confirmed the deaths. "It is a sad incident that the couple was seated to watch television before the lightning struck them," Kinne said.

In Kisumu East, several families told The Standard that they had to leave their homes at night as floods marooned their homes. Most of them were still camping on the road as they pondered their next moves.

A similar development was also reported at Dunga and parts of Nyalenda where several other families were displaced after flash floods marooned their homes.

The heavy rains also destroyed large swathes of farmlands and crops handing farmers huge losses.