Two middle-aged men died on Wednesday evening in Kisii town in two separate incidents.
Speaking to the press on Thursday in his office, Kisii police boss Simon Kiragu said the two - Joseph Mayaka and Leonard Mayaka - died of lightning and electrocution respectively.
“In the first incident, live electric cables fell and electrocuted Joseph Mayaka at the market while he was walking to the new Keroka stage behind Tuskys supermarket," he said.
"In another incident, Leonard Mayaka was killed by lightning while walking in the basement of St Jude Complex near Keroka matatu stage in Kisii town,” confirmed Kiragu.
“Leonard bled from the nose and mouth before his demise while Joseph died instantly after being electrocuted,” he added.
The County Commander of police said the two were killed during a heavy downpour between 6 and7 PM.
The bodies of Joseph, 35, and Leonard, 38, were taken to mortuaries waiting for burial.
“The two bodies were removed from the scenes. The late Joseph’s body was taken to Hema mortuary while that of Leonard was kept at Kisii Referral mortuary,” he said.
Mr Kiragu said the police have begun investigations into the two incidents that left witnesses in shock giving accounts on what they saw.
“I was with Leonard 10 minutes away before encountering his death. He was in perfect healthy because he did not complain of any health problem. He was a good man who had no problem with anybody,” Ondieki, his friend, said.