- Grief engulfed Sekenani as family, friends and classmates buried Grade 9 learner David Memusi Dapash.
- The 14-year-old died after being struck by lightning during a heavy downpour.
- Mourners have called for the installation of lightning protection systems in schools to prevent similar tragedies.
Grief engulfed the Sekenani community in Narok West Sub-county as family, friends, classmates, teachers and residents gathered to bid farewell to 14-year-old David Memusi Dapash, a Grade 9 learner at Sekenani Junior School, who died after being struck by lightning during a heavy downpour.
The tragic incident, which shocked the school and the wider community, claimed the life of the young learner instantly, cutting short a promising future.
His death has left his family devastated and fellow learners struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Tributes to a promising learner
David was laid to rest at his family’s home in Sekenani, where mourners described him as a disciplined, humble and hardworking learner with great academic potential.
Teachers remembered him as a respectful student who related well with both classmates and members of staff.
The funeral was marked by emotional tributes from relatives, friends and community leaders, who remembered him as a bright learner whose life ended tragically.
Calls for lightning protection
During the burial, leaders and residents called for greater awareness of lightning safety, particularly in rural schools that remain vulnerable during severe weather.
They appealed to the Government and other stakeholders to invest in lightning protection systems in schools and public institutions located in areas frequently affected by thunderstorms.
According to the residents, such investments would help prevent similar tragedies and improve the safety of learners.
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David’s untimely death has once again highlighted the dangers posed by extreme weather and the urgent need to strengthen safety infrastructure in learning institutions across the country.
By Philip Koech
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