The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) in conjunction with the Interior Ministry has so far conducted 13 county sensitization forums to enlighten Kenyans on electrical safety.
On Tuesday, the electricity company said that over the last three years, 345 people have been electrocuted in the country.
According to the Kenya Power Manager for Safety, Health, and Environment John Guda, 93 people have died from electrocution in the current financial year.
He added that over 70 percent of the electrocutions are mainly as a result of illegal connections, poor wiring, unsafe public practices, and vandalism while negligence by KPLC staff and contractors represents the remaining 30 percent.
The manager was speaking during a sensitization workshop in Wote.
Reports indicated the the leading county was Nakuru followed by Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Kisii, Nyamira, Makueni, Busia, Siaya, and Kwale counties.
Guda noted that a sensitization campaign on best practices and safety precautions around the subject is urgently needed as the numbers were concerning.
Furthermore, very few cases of electrocution are always reported in the country, making the numbers portray a worrying trend.
In March, KPLC was ordered by Justice Francis Gikonyo to pay a schoolboy in Meru Sh15.7 million as damages for injuries suffered, loss of amenities, medical expenses incurred, doctor’s fees, and future medical expenses after being electrocuted while herding cattle.
According to the evidence presented in court,
the 16-year-old student touched a live electric wire, which was loosely lying on the ground, after tripping and falling while grazing cattle at Kilemi/Kautine, Antubetwe Location in Igembe North District in October 2015.
The boy was admitted at Maua Methodist hospital for four months and his arm was amputated due to severe burns. He was forced to drop out of school.
However, Kenya Power submitted that it was unclear where the incident occurred and the plaintiff was negligent in failing to ensure his own safety.
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