Pupil killed, 51 hospitalised after lightning strikes Bungoma school

Bungoma: One pupil at Musikoma primary in Kanduyi constituency died and 51 others admitted to Bungoma County Referral Hospital with burns and cuts after lightning hit the school on Wednesday evening.

The class four pupil died immediately he arrived at the hospital as nurses were fighting to resuscitate him.

The health facility Medical Superintendent Dr. Sylvester Mutoro confirmed that the victim died from shock.

"We are still determining the effect of the incident on their health, let the nurses and doctors carry out examination first then we will brief you (the press) later," said Dr.Mutoro.

Mutoro said that 36 girls and 15 boys were receiving treatment at the health facility as parents flocked in to check on the progress of their children.

Majority of pupils who had no physical injuries were shouting and wailing following the incident when The Standard visited the facility.

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Bungoma County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim said that it was the saddest day for the Bungoma residents because of the unfortunate incident.

“Am calling upon the national government, county government and the Constituency Development Fund to erect lightning arrestors in all learning institutions. If the school had the arrestors we could not have witnessed such an incident,” said Maalim.

Maalim said that four pupils who were in critical condition would be transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.

Musikoma Ward Representative Edward Barasa, who helped carry the victims to hospital, said that a number of them need psychological counseling following the shock occasioned by the lightning.

“Am saddened by this incident, it's unfortunate that it occurred in my area of jurisdiction and I am calling upon the county government to hire guiding and counseling experts to talk to them and help restore their confidence,” he said.

Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka who visited the victims said that his government will clear the medical bills and will also set aside funds to help in the burial arrangement of the deceased.

"We are saddened by this incident and my government will work on the way of ensuring that all learning institutions are fitted with lightning arrestors to stop such incidences," he said.