Two women tragically lost their lives due to electrocution while washing clothes at a rental house in Sikwadhi Trading Centre, Homa Bay County.
The victims were identified as Roseline Akinyi Opiyo, 29 years old, and Judith Achieng Ochiel, 28 years old, who died immediately upon contact with live electric current.
The incident occurred as both women were preparing to wash clothes early in the morning.
They had hung their laundry on a clothesline that, unbeknownst to them, was in direct contact with a live electric wire.
Roseline accidentally touched the metal wire and was electrocuted.
In a desperate attempt to aid her friend, Judith rushed to assist Roseline but tragically met the same fate, succumbing to electrocution as well.
The rental house where the incident took place reportedly had electricity connections that were illegally installed by the landlord.
Alphonse Odero, the assistant chief of Karading sub-location, noted that investigations revealed the landlord had not followed proper procedures for electrical installations, leading to the hazardous conditions that claimed the lives of the two women.
Homa Bay County Police Commander Hassan Barua confirmed the details of the incident and emphasized that initial findings pointed to the landlord’s negligence in maintaining safe electrical installations.
He assured that further investigations were underway to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the electrocution deaths.
The tragic event has sparked concerns over the safety of electrical connections in residential areas, prompting local authorities to stress the importance of adhering to electrical safety regulations.
The community and authorities are mourning the loss of Roseline Akinyi Opiyo and Judith Achieng Ochiel, whose lives were cut short due to what appears to be a preventable electrical hazard.
As investigations continue, there is a growing call for landlords and property owners to ensure that all electrical installations are carried out by certified professionals and comply with safety standards.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by improper electrical setups and the devastating consequences they can have on unsuspecting residents.
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