Three victims of last week’s lightening strike in Kisii County were laid to rest on Friday.
A somber mood engulfed Mochorwa village in Bomachoge Chache sub-county during the ceremony attended by Governor James Ongwae and his Deputy Joash Maangi.
Hundreds of mourners braved a heavy rain to bid farewell to the three in a burial ceremony that was conducted at Mesabwakwa Primary School grounds.
The late Barnabas Machuka, Josephine Bwari Akunga and Margret Bosibori Obwoge who were members of a local Catholic Church met their deaths during the lightning strike at the home of their deceased relative whose body had just been brought from the mortuary.
Ongwae regretted the deaths saying it was a big blow for the families and the community as a whole and promised to stand with the families even after the burial.
The county government contributed Sh350,000 to cater for the medial and burial expenses for the victims with each of the deceased person’s families receiving Sh100,000 while the survivor received Sh50,000.
Ongwae said his administration will closely work with the area MP to install lightening arresters at Mesabwaka, Mochorwa and Nyakenyerere primary schools which are prone to lightning strikes to avert similar incidents.
Ongwae, Maangi and Bomachoge Chache MP Simon Ogari pledged to help reconstruct a house that was also destroyed by lightening saying it was against the Kisii traditions to use the house.
Governor Ongwae said his government will install solar lights at Mesabwaka market and all markets in the county to improve security and enhance a 24 hour economy.