A tragic incident occurred in Mathare Area 4B, Nairobi, on October 6, when an electrician died after being electrocuted while repairing a faulty electrical wire on the roof of his residence. According to police, the electrician had been seen on the roof carrying out repairs to the faulty wire. While descending, he came into contact with a live wire and was electrocuted. A neighbor who was nearby reportedly heard the man scream and rushed to the scene, where he found him unresponsive.
The electrician was taken to Mathare Clinic, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police said the body had visible injuries on the abdomen consistent with electrocution. Crime Scene Investigation personnel processed and documented the scene before the body was moved to the City Mortuary, pending a postmortem examination. The incident is under investigation, with authorities working to determine the circumstances surrounding the electrocution.
In a separate incident, a nine-month-old girl died after a fire engulfed her family's house in Munyutha Village, Ndutumi Sub-location, Kiria Location, Murang'a County. Police said the incident happened on October 6. Preliminary police inquiries established that the fire broke out while the child's mother was in the kitchen preparing food for her children.
The mother reportedly heard her three-and-a-half-year-old son screaming and went outside to establish what was happening. She then noticed heavy smoke coming from the living quarters. She attempted to enter the house to rescue her nine-month-old daughter, who was inside, but was unable to do so because of the intensity of the fire.
The mother raised an alarm, prompting members of the public to respond and help extinguish the blaze. After the fire was brought under control, police and members of the public searched through the debris and recovered the infant's body, which had been extensively burnt. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have started from a candle allegedly lit by the deceased's three-and-a-half-year-old brother while inside a bedroom.
The candle is suspected to have ignited a mattress before the fire spread to other parts of the house. Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) personnel processed and documented the scene, while the body was moved to Muriranjas Sub-County Hospital Mortuary, pending an autopsy. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
The two incidents have left families and communities in shock. The authorities are urging the public to exercise caution when handling electrical appliances and open flames to prevent such tragedies from occurring. The incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in homes and workplaces.
Key points
- An electrician died after being electrocuted while repairing a faulty electrical wire on the roof of his residence in Mathare Area 4B, Nairobi.
- A nine-month-old girl died after a fire engulfed her family's house in Munyutha Village, Murang'a County.
- Authorities are investigating the causes of the incidents, with the police and DCI processing the scenes and conducting preliminary inquiries.
