A six-year-old boy has passed away after being struck by lightning while resting under a tree in Kilifi county.
According to police reports, the boy was lying on a mat with his grandfather when lightning struck the tree .
The incident left the child unconscious and caused burn injuries to his grandfather’s thigh.
Both were rushed to Ramada Dispensary Hospital, but unfortunately, the child was pronounced dead on arrival.
The grandfather on the other hand received treatment and was discharged in fair condition.
A six-year-old boy struck by lightning in Kilifi
The deceased was taken to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital mortuary for preservation, awaiting postmortem
Reports indicate that heavy rainfall is expected to intensify till March 24.
Residents are have been urged to remain alert for flooding, flash floods and lightning strikes.
The rains have already started to affect road infrastructure.
Flooding and heavy silt deposition were reported along the Mai Mahiu–Suswa–Narok Road at Kedong Ranch near Suswa, disrupting traffic.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has so far started clearing the silt and advised motorists to use alternative routes, including Ngong–Suswa, Nairobi–Naivasha–Nakuru–Mau Narok–Narok, and Nairobi–Naivasha–Longonot–Suswa.
At least two thousand families have already been displaced by the heavy rainfall.
