Two brothers killed by lightning while studying

A family at Mukoye village in Malava constituency is mourning the death of its two sons after lightning stroke them to death on Wednesday night. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Grief engulfed Mayuke village, Malava Constituency after two brothers who are students at a local secondary school were killed after they were struck by lightning while studying.

The bodies of the Form Three and Form Two students at Bukakhunga Secondary were burnt beyond recognition by the lightning on Wednesday at 9.30 pm inside their house during a heavy downpour.

David Wanjala, the father of the boys, said he saw off his two children aged 16 and 18 to their house to conduct studies before the unfortunate incident happened.

“We had just taken supper and my two sons told me they needed to go to their room early before the rain started so they could study for the coming exams. I wished them all the best as we parted ways,” said Wanjala.

He said at around 9.30 pm he saw lightning and heard a shattering sound of thunder followed by smoke.

“To my rude shock when I stepped out as it continued to rain, I saw a huge fire emanating from the house where my children were sleeping. I could not get into the house to save my children because of the intense fire forcing me to scream for help. Neighbors came to my rescue but we could not save the children,” said Wanjala.

“It is painful because I could not save my children not because I was not around but because the situation was uncontrollable I watched them get burnt to ashes.” 

According to Wanjala, their culture dictates that if someone is killed in such a manner he is supposed to be buried quickly without people viewing the body.

“If we were financially stable we would have buried the two children as fast as possible because such deaths demand quick burial either very late in the evening or early in the morning,” he said.

Magdalene Masika, the mother, said the incident was a big blow to her life since her two sons had promised her a good life upon completion of their studies.

“They were hardworking and disciplined, they had promised to take me out of poverty and I had high hopes in them but as fate would have it they are gone. I have been robbed of the light of my future,” said Masika.

Ms Masika is now calling upon the county and national governments to intervene and ensure the area has lightning arresters to save lives due to this rainy season.

“If there is any way both the county and national government can intervene and guarantee our safety then it will go a long way in saving lives from the lightning disaster," she said.

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula who visited the family announced that the county would foot the mortuary and burial bills of the children adding that the disaster and management department would erect a lightning arrestor mast in the area.