A five-year-old girl who was playing with friends near their home on Thursday evening in Lurambi Consituency, Kakamega County, died on the spot after an electricity pole reportedly collapsed and fell on her.
The child, a PP2 pupil at St. Agnes School in Shitungu Village, died instantly at the scene, according to residents. The incident has sparked anger in the village, with locals questioning why the pole was left by Kenya Power in a dangerous condition despite long-standing concerns about its safety.
Speaking to reporters, village elder Hussein Mung’oya said the tragedy could have been avoided, claiming the pole had been leaning for a considerable period before it fell.
“This pole had been leaning for quite some time, and Kenya Power officials have been visiting this area. We are saddened that it took the death of a child for the danger to become a reality,” Mung’oya said.
According to the elder, the pole collapsed following a power outage accompanied by strong winds, which he said caused the already weakened structure to give way.
Residents are now demanding answers from Kenya Power over why the pole was not repaired or replaced despite the concerns that had been raised about its condition. They have also called for an immediate inspection of electricity infrastructure across the village, warning that other aging or damaged poles could pose similar risks to residents.
