Tragedy at a funeral as mother, son die saving girl from electrocution

By  Winnie Atieno

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

What was meant to be a weekend of solemn final respects for an uncle in Salama, Tana Delta, turned into an unimaginable double tragedy for a family in Tana River County.

On Wednesday last week, Ricky Ruhusa, a student at Taita Taveta National Polytechnic (TTNP) who was undertaking his industrial attachment in Kilifi, travelled to his rural home to attend his uncle’s burial scheduled for Saturday, October 31 2026.

On Thursday, the family spent the day preparing to receive his uncle’s body. By Friday evening, relatives and neighbours had gathered at the family homestead, singing hymns in preparation for the Saturday funeral service.

However, around 6:00pm, the evening gospel songs were shattered by the piercing cries of a young girl in pain. Ricky’s mother, Habella Hatsara, 54, immediately recognised the voice of her youngest child and rushed out to investigate, knowing her daughter was in distress.

"She said she knew it was her daughter’s voice and rushed out to go and see what was happening," recalled Ricky’s cousin, Joseph Ruhusa.

Outside, the mother of six found her youngest daughter oozing blood from her nose near the main power meter. The girl had been electrocuted by a live wire while taking dried clothes off a clothes line.

Driven by maternal instinct, the mother stepped in to pull her daughter away from the wire, only to be electrocuted herself.

Hearing his mother’s desperate cries for help, Ricky rushed to the scene. Utilising his technical knowledge, he grabbed an object to safely pry his mother and younger sister away from the live electrical current.

Tragically, recent rains in the area had left the object wet, causing the high-voltage current to travel through it directly to Ricky.

"Everything happened so fast; both Ricky and his mum died. The object he used to rescue them had water, because it had previously rained in our area. But the girl survived," narrated Mr Ruhusa.

The family proceeded to bury Ricky’s uncle on Saturday as originally scheduled, and immediately transitioning into fresh funeral arrangements for the student and his mother.

The youngest daughter in the family survived the tragic incident and is currently recuperating in stable condition at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, where she is receiving treatment for burn wounds.

Family members and neighbours described the late duo as devout, God-fearing individuals. Ricky was also a gospel artist who harboured bright ambitions of practising as a professional electrician while expanding his music ministry.

"We are speechless as a family. We are in shock. Ricky travelled to bury our uncle only for him to die alongside his mother. There is nothing as sad as this incident that has shocked our Maziwa Village," Mr Ruhusa added.

Friends from Taita Taveta National Polytechnic and neighbours have taken to social media to mourn the young student and offer condolences to the bereaved family.

"Savannah FC mourns the tragic passing of Ricky Mapapa Ruhusa. Our hearts are heavy as we remember his dedication, spirit, and the indelible mark he left on our team and community. We stand united in grief with his family, friends, and all who loved him. May his soul rest in peace," wrote his team Savanna Worriors FC.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and all those affected by this painful loss. May God grant them strength, perseverance, and comfort during this difficult time,” his former colleagues at the polytechnic dubbed Jumuiya ya Taita Taveta National Polytechnic, Voi posted on Facebook.

The family is currently organising a joint burial for Ricky and his mother. Police have since launched investigations into the matter. A senior police officer confirmed that the matter had been handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further investigations.

"We are trying to establish some missing links. There was a generator, and people were attempting to connect electricity to facilitate the funeral arrangements. That is when a four-year-old girl came into contact with a live wire. Her mother rushed to rescue her but was electrocuted," the officer said, requesting anonymity for lacking authority to comment on the investigations.

The officer confirmed that the mother and son were rushed to hospital, where they were pronounced dead and the four-year-old girl is recovering at a hospital in Kilifi. The police boss said Kenya Power was not involved in the incident.

"We have handed the generator over to the DCI. We want the individual who carried out the wiring to come forward and record a statement," the officer said.

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