This archive report was first published on 31 July 2020.
On July 31, 2020, a devastating incident occurred in Bowa matopeni village in Kwale, where a 34-year-old mother and her 3-month-old baby were electrocuted after coming into contact with a fallen power line.
The line had dropped due to heavy rains that pounded the area weeks ago, leaving the ground loose and posing a significant danger to residents. Despite complaints from locals, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) had failed to switch off the line, leaving it exposed and hazardous.
Residents of Bowa had been protesting the situation, citing several other poles in varying stages of rot that posed a serious threat to locals. Mwinyi Mwasera, the Waa Ng'Ombeni ward MCA, expressed outrage over the incident, stating that efforts by residents to have KPLC address the issue had been ignored.
Mwasera demanded that KPLC officers take responsibility for the accident and resign. The bodies of the two victims are currently lying at the Kwale Funeral home, awaiting autopsy. Human Rights Activist Mwinyi Haji has taken up the issue, promising to take regional managers to court over negligence.
