A somber mood engulfed Kitambo village in Central Asembo, Rarieda, Siaya County, after a middle-aged man lost his life while attempting an illegal electricity connection. The deceased, identified as George Omondi, was discovered hanging lifeless from an electricity pole, sparking concern over the growing cases of unauthorized electrical work in rural areas.
Confirming the incident, Rarieda Sub-County Police Commander Fredrick Alata said his officers, in the company of Kenya Power officials, rushed to the scene immediately after receiving reports from local residents. Preliminary investigations suggest that Omondi was trying to tap electricity illegally when he was fatally electrocuted.
The authorities retrieved the body from the electricity pole and transferred it to the Bondo Sub-County Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death. Alata noted that a full investigation is ongoing to determine whether others were involved in the unauthorized activity.
“This tragic incident underscores the dangers of tampering with power lines and engaging in illegal electrical connections,” said Alata. “We urge all residents to work with licensed and certified electricians and to report any suspicious electrical works to the authorities. Such accidents are avoidable if proper safety procedures are followed.”
Kenya Power has frequently warned members of the public against the risks of illegal connections, citing not only the threat to life but also the damage to electrical infrastructure and the broader risk to entire communities through power outages and potential fires.
Local leaders and residents expressed shock and sadness over the incident, calling for more awareness campaigns on electrical safety, especially in underserved regions where access to legal power connections remains limited.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of circumventing safety protocols and the urgent need to invest in community education and legal access to electricity in rural Kenya.
