Three men are fighting for their lives in hospital after they were struck by lightning while grazing cattle at Kileleshwa village in Narok South Sub County.
One of the victims is recuperating at Longisa Hospital in Bomet County while two others are admitted at Narok County Referral Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
Narok South Deputy County Commissioner Felix Kisalu said the three were grazing cattle at the farm of Jonathan Letina when lightning struck.
“They had first been rushed to Ololulunga Sub County Hospital where they were referred to the referral hospital. They were complaining of chest and back pains,” he said.
The Deputy County Commissioner called on the residents to exercise caution by keeping off areas prone to lightning, especially during this rainy season.
The DCC called on schools in the area to install lightning arrestors in the school compound since the area is prone to such cases.
Last year, three people lost their lives in different incidents after they were struck by lightning in the same location.
The residents have since called on the government to intervene and install lightning arrestors in the area so as to curb incidents of death and injuries caused by the natural calamity.
Information from Centres for Disease Control and Prevention shows that lightning strikes can be controlled by getting off from elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.
It also advises the residents not to lie flat on the ground but to crouch down in a ball-like position with the head tucked and hands over the ears so that someone is down low with minimal contact with the ground.
People are also advised not to shelter under an isolated tree during the rainy season as it increases chances of being struck by lightning.
By Ann Salaton
