KPLC On the Spot Over Electrocution That Left Nairobian Blind

Kenya Power workers repair a transformer on the Meru-Makutano road on March 28, 2016.
Kenya Power workers repair a transformer on the Meru-Makutano road on March 28, 2016.
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Kenya Power

A 31-year-old man is seeking compensation from Kenya Power Company (popularly known by its NSE ticker KPLC) after an electrocution accident left him paralyzed and blind.

Isaac Matati, said that the incident took place on October 16, 2020 around Chiromo area in Nairobi. Isaac was heading to Waiyaki way after his garbage collection activities around Riverside area when he stepped on a naked wire and met his fate.

He said that he could not remember what happened after the incident waking up in hospital hours later. He was discharged on December 12, 2020, still paralyzed.

Siwezi jua kama nilipiga nduru ama nilitetemeka, nilijipata nikiwa hosi (I don’t know whether I screamed or shivered because I woke up in hospital),” said Isaac. His medical documents show that he got paralyzed, losing the ability to walk and also lost his eyesight.

Kenya Power and Lighting Company engineers load a transformer onto a lorry.
Kenya Power and Lighting Company engineers load a transformer onto a lorry.
Photo
KPLC

His mother, who takes care of him since the accident occurred, said that Isaac is unable to do most things on his own and highly depends on her.

The family lawyer wrote a letter to Kenya Power in early February. 

"We have started investigating to know the circumstances of how the man got hurt. Depending on the investigation's outcome, we will do what is necessary,” said KPLC.

Data produced by KPLC last year shows that faulty wiring is the number one cause of electrocutions in Kenya. More than 32 percent of these cases occur in homes due to illegal connections.

In a related case, an underage boy was electrocuted after touching a live wire after tripping and falling in 2014. KPLC was ordered to pay a sum of Ksh4.4 million to the boy, that would be used to pay for artificial limbs as well as pay for his medical bills.

Kenya Power personnel cut off power lines at Embakasi East's Tassia Estate on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
Kenya Power personnel cut off power lines at Embakasi East's Tassia Estate on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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