Trader demands compensation from KPLC after power line electrocutes 10 goats in Mombasa
Amir Abdille, who had brought nearly 200 goats for sale at the Bondeni market, says he is devastated and is now calling on the Kenya Power and Lighting Company to compensate him.
A businessman travelling from Garissa has suffered a major loss just days before Eid, after 10 of his goats were electrocuted in the Shimanzi area of Mombasa when a Kenya Power electricity line fell on them.
Amir Abdille, who had brought nearly 200 goats for sale at the Bondeni market, says he is devastated and is now calling on the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to compensate him.
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"Today I am in mourning. I brought about 200 goats from Garissa to take to the market in Bondeni, but a power line in the Shimanzi area caused a short circuit and killed ten of them. I have reported the incident at Makupa Police Station. We then informed Kenya Power, and they came to assess the damage. They told us to meet them at their offices tomorrow. We are asking for compensation because we have been raising these goats all year,” he said.
Another trader, Mzee Yusuf, echoed the frustration and shock felt by the group.
“Today, we have suffered a great loss. We travelled from far with our goats, only for a Kenya Power line left unattended to electrocute 10 of them on the spot. We do appreciate the quick response from the police, but this was a painful blow,” he said.
Mahmud Abdullahi, who was part of the team transporting the animals, said the electrocution happened as they were heading to the market.
Some of the goats that were electrocuted in the Shimanzi area of Mombasa when a Kenya Power electricity line fell on them. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
“We were on our way to the market to sell our goats when this tragedy happened. The electricity killed them. Eleven goats were affected, one survived, but the other 10 died on the spot,” he said.
Abdirahman Yusuf, a representative of the Somali community in Mombasa, condemned the incident and expressed concern over repeated cases of fallen power lines in the area.
“Our brothers have experienced a major loss. They came here to sell their goats for Eid, but now 10 of them are dead because of an electricity fault. This is not the first time such a thing has happened. It is about the third time now. These power lines are often lying dangerously on the ground. Whether it's animals or people, someone always ends up getting hurt. We urge the community to be cautious, especially during this rainy season. It could have been a human being this time,” he said.
The group is now appealing for urgent compensation from KPLC as they grapple with the financial blow, especially at a time when many rely on livestock sales to fund Eid celebrations.
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