Kuresoi lightning strike leaves 3 pupils dead, 53 admitted

A pupil is treated at Kuresoi Health Centre on January 16, 2020, for injuries sustained after lightning struck classrooms at Mkulima Primary School in Kuresoi North Sub-county, Nakuru County. PHOTO | JOHN NJOROGE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Grade Four and Five learners were in their classes when the tragedy occurred at around 3pm.
  • Mkulima Location Chief John Macharia Muhia said he received information about the tragedy from a Nyumba Kumi elder.
  • He urged the government to install lightning arresters in schools to prevent similar cases.
  • Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui said that the county had dispatched three ambulances to transfer four critically injured pupils to Nakuru Level Five Hospital.

Three pupils died after lightning struck classrooms at Mkulima Primary School in Kuresoi North Sub-County on Thursday evening.

At least 53 others were admitted to various hospitals in Nakuru County.

The Grade Four and Five learners were in their classrooms when the tragedy occurred at around 3pm.

Headteacher Thomas Sisa said they had just rushed back from their games to seek shelter from heavy rains.

Residents at Kuresoi Health Centre, where more than 53 pupils from Mkulima Primary School in Kuresoi North were taken after lightning struck their classrooms on January 16, 2020. PHOTO | JOHN NJOROGE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

SHOCK

Mkulima Location Chief John Macharia Muhia said he received information about the tragedy from a Nyumba Kumi elder.

“I mobilised residents to rescue the pupils. Doctors are observing 45 pupils who are still recovering from the shock,” Mr Muhia told the Nation.

He urged the government to install lightning arresters in schools to prevent similar cases.

Residents at Kuresoi Health Centre, where more than 53 pupils from Mkulima Primary School in Kuresoi North were taken after lightning struck their classrooms on January 16, 2020. PHOTO | JOHN NJOROGE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

AMBULANCES

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, in his condolence message to families, said the county dispatched three ambulances to transfer critically injured pupils to Nakuru Level Five Hospital.

“The department of health has also dispatched a team of clinical officers and nurses to Kuresoi Health Centre, where 30 are admitted,” he said.

Dr Samuel King'ori said three pupils taken to the level five hospital did not have physical injuries and were stable.

He said they were expecting two more.