A somber mood has descended upon the Got Kokech village in Homa Bay County following a 12-year-old boy’s electrocution while taking care of animals. The unfortunate incident that occurred at an early time this week has shocked and plunged the surrounding community into mourning.
As testified, the adolescent boy, by the name of Brian Otieno, was herding his family’s goats along a barbed wire fence when, in doing so, he came into contact with an electric live wire. The wire, allegedly illegally wired to an adjacent power source, was caught on the fence and formed a lethal trap.
Neighbors heard him cry for help and came running, but in vain. Brian was pronounced dead on arrival at the closest health clinic. His parents, who were in shock, described their child as diligent and intelligent, animal loving and aspiring to be a vet.
Local authorities began an inquiry into the accident, and initial reports indicated that the cause was defective electricity cables in the area. Kenya Power officials were called in to survey the level of damage and remove any rogue leads that were a threat to residents.
Local officials now are requesting emergency steps to improve rural electrical safety. This was a preventable loss of life, declared local chief Peter Odhiambo. We have to ensure such negligence doesn’t pay with another innocent life.
As a small town says goodbye to young Brian, his story is a harrowing reminder of the dangers that lurk in the mundane environment and the need for added safety measures to protect children in rural communities.
By Nairobi