Footballer killed by lightning during goal celebration

Red Sharks' Allan Mbote

A 20-year-old Kenyatta University student was struck dead by lightning on Sunday as he came off the pitch to celebrate a draw against their opponents in Funyula Constituency.

Allan Mbote, who was one of six players caught by the bolt of lightning during Nangina Ward Football Tournament at Luchululo village, died instantly as others sustained injuries.  Three players are still recuperating at Nangina Mission Hospital.

Tributes have flooded in following the announcement.

Kenyatta University confirmed the Red Sharks defender’s untimely passing in a Twitter post, saying they had lost the second year student.

DIMMED STAR
Red Sharks' Allan Mbote killed by lightning ,6 others injured. #BiasharaTuesday #KUTVRiseToday pic.twitter.com/Wk62FKiSSB

— KUTV Kenya (@KUTVKenya) December 11, 2018

@OundoMudenyo wrote: “Some tragedies are hard to take: lightening striking a player during a soccer match! RIP Allan Mbote.”

Some tragedies are hard to take: lightening striking a player during a soccer match! RIP Allan Mbote pic.twitter.com/arZjYdxTgS

— Dr. Oundo Mudenyo,MP (@OundoMudenyo) December 10, 2018

Mbote’s death is the latest lightning tragedy to hit the country in recent days. On 9^th December, three children Millicent Amoit, Moses Imerikwa and Esther Ateng’e succumbed to the lightning strike in Teso North constituency.

The three were children to Andrew Idewa who survived together with his wife Carolyne Idewa and their grandchild Rian Samuel.

Two years ago two pupils of Katakwa primary died after being struck while inside their classroom. Other schools that have experienced same tragedy are Aedomoru and Kakapel all in Teso North Constituency.

Angurai South MCA Grace Olita appealed to the county government when she visited the survivors at Kocholia St Mary’s Mission Hospital to install lightning arrestors in her area that has been vulnerable to prevent such tragic incidents.