IT was a calm evening in Pamba Village, located in Kajulu East, Kisumu East Sub-County, when a sudden and violent storm turned the peaceful setting into a scene of tragedy. Around 7:30 pm, heavy rain and strong winds hit the area, causing a large tree to fall and crash into the main house of 60-year-old Gordon Okeyo. The force of the tree completely flattened the house, trapping eight people inside the rubble.
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The Assistant Chief of Okok Sublocation, Madam Winnie Odundo, reported the incident to Gita Police Station.
Police officers, led by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Gita, quickly arrived at the scene. They worked all night along with members of the public and the Kisumu County Government fire brigade to rescue the trapped individuals.
After several hours of hard work, the rescuers managed to clear the large log and debris.
Unfortunately, three people were found among the wreckage: Gordon Okeyo, the head of the household, and two young boys, Alphonse Karer, aged eight, and Prince Anyul, aged six.
Five other family members were rescued alive but in serious condition.
They include Salina Ajuang Anyul, aged 72, Kevin Onyango Juma, aged 13, Brian Omondi Ochieng, aged 19, Barak Anwi, aged seven, and Triza Anyul, aged five. All five were taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment and are currently receiving special care.
The bodies of the three deceased were also transported to the hospital’s morgue, where postmortem examinations are planned.
Police have started an investigation into the incident and are still looking into the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
Detectives from Kisumu East are working to gather more details about what happened.