A cow and a dog died after coming into contact with a live electric fence allegedly connected illegally by a homeowner in Makhonge village, Chwele Ward, Kabuchai Consistuency, in Bungoma County.
Police said the incident was discovered on Monday morning.
The police and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) officials said they are investigating the Monday May 11 electrocution incident.
Police said a brown cow and a brown dog were found trapped on a barbed wire fence surrounding the compound of a neighbour.
The owner reportedly rushed to the scene after being alerted. He was alerted by a passerby heading to Chwele Market that his cow was stuck on the fence.
However, he experienced an electric shock while attempting to rescue the animal. A dog that had accompanied him also died after touching the electrified wire.
KPLC personnel who were called to the scene allegedly confirmed that the fence had been illegally connected to electricity from the suspect’s house through a canteen within the compound, allowing electric current to pass through the barbed wire.
The scene was photographed and the dead animals were removed by the owner.
Police said investigations are ongoing, with DCI officers and Kenya Power officials also handling the matter.
Such electrocution incidents have also been on the rise with officials blaming illegal power connections. Officials have also blamed the use of quacks for wiring projects.
Elsewhere, police in Githunguri, Kiambu County, are investigating a drowning incident. This was after the body of a 32-year-old man who had reportedly gone missing was recovered from Karweti River.
According to the police, the incident was reported on Monday by a woman who told police that her son, Evans Gathumbi Chege, who was said to have appeared mentally disturbed, disappeared from home on Sunday at an unknown time, prompting family members to begin a search.
The search ended on Monday morning at around 11am. This was after the deceased’s brother, spotted the body floating in Karweti River and alerted police.
Police said the body had no visible physical injuries.
The remains were moved to Mukoe Funeral Home awaiting a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
