Residents of Gachagi slums in Makongeni, Thika sub-county are grieving after a village elder was last night hit by lightning.
Julius Gachuru, 79, was reportedly coming from Makongeni market when the rains started and he decided to shelter under a tree with a friend who was already there until the rains ceased.
According to the friend, Githinji Kiragu, they sat under the tree for about 30 minutes before he (Kiragu) decided to leave for home and left the deceased still sheltering.
Thunder and lightning had been striking throughout the period and so the neighbours say they waited for him to return home overnight only to be discovered dead under the tree by schoolchildren this morning.
Thika police boss Shadrack Maithya cautioned residents against sheltering under trees during the rainy season, saying it is extremely risky.
“I regret his death as he was a peace-loving member of the community policing. People should avoid sheltering in such places to avoid such occurrences,” he cautioned.
Neighbours say the deceased lived alone
The body was taken to Thika General Kago mortuary and is set for a post-mortem examination.