Shock and grief have engulfed Sega town in Siaya County after two teachers lost their lives in a freak electrocution incident inside a local lodging facility.
The victims were identified as Meshack Ongulu, a respected educator, church leader, and Director of Somabase Preparatory Centre, and his colleague Modesta Mwakali.
According to preliminary reports, tragedy struck when Modesta entered the bathroom and was electrocuted, allegedly due to faulty wiring. In a desperate attempt to rescue her, Meshack rushed in but was also fatally struck by the same electric current. Both died on the spot, leaving their families and the wider community reeling in disbelief.
Initial reports fueled confusion after claims circulated that Meshack had died alongside his wife. The misinformation deepened the grief until close relatives clarified that his spouse was alive and safe. They confirmed that the woman who perished with him was a fellow teacher.
A cousin of the late teacher expressed shock at the misleading reports, stressing the importance of accuracy during such sensitive moments.
Witnesses revealed that the two teachers were in a romantic relationship and had checked into a lodging facility before the accident, a detail that has stirred mixed emotions in the community. While many are choosing to remember them as educators whose lives ended too soon, others are struggling to reconcile the circumstances of their deaths.
Celebrated Educator and Leader
Tributes have since poured in for Meshack, remembered as a devoted mentor and spiritual guide. Beyond running Somabase Preparatory Centre, he also taught at St. Augustine’s Boys Boarding Butunyi and served as chaplain at Bujumba Boys, earning admiration from colleagues, parents, and students alike.
“He was not only a teacher but also a father figure and a leader who shaped lives inside and outside the classroom,” one former student said.
Electrical safety experts have weighed in, warning that the incident highlights the dangers of substandard wiring and poor safety compliance in many lodgings and residential premises. They urged property owners to invest in certified electricians, regular inspections, and protective devices such as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent such tragedies.
The double loss has plunged Sega and the education fraternity into mourning. As funeral arrangements begin, the community continues to grapple with the shock — torn between grief for two lives lost in service of education, and the difficult questions surrounding their final moments.
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