A 48-year-old lorry driver has died after his truck came into contact with a live overhead electricity cable while offloading construction materials along Kibra Drive Road in Nairobi. The tragic incident, which occurred near the Jamhuri area, saw the driver sustain a fatal electric shock before being rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Highlights
- The deceased was identified as 48-year-old Johana Njiri.
- He was operating a Tata tipper truck at a construction site near Jamhuri.
- The truck’s raised trailer reportedly touched a live overhead electricity cable.
- Njiri was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
- His body was transferred to Mbagathi Funeral Home pending a postmortem examination.
Main Story
Nairobi Lorry Driver Dies in Kibra Electrocution Accident
A construction site in Nairobi’s Kibra area has been the scene of a fatal workplace accident after a lorry driver was electrocuted while carrying out his duties.
The deceased, identified as Johana Njiri, was 48 years old and reportedly worked as a subcontracted driver for a company undertaking construction-related operations in the Jamhuri area.
According to police reports, the incident happened on November 3, 2026, at approximately midday along Kibra Drive Road.
Njiri was operating a Tata tipper truck and was in the process of offloading murram at the site when the accident occurred.
Truck Trailer Makes Contact With Live Electricity Cable
During the offloading process, the truck’s trailer reportedly came into contact with an overhead electricity transmission cable.
The contact caused an electric current to pass through the vehicle, fatally shocking the driver.
Police and witnesses confirmed the circumstances surrounding the incident as officers began documenting what had happened at the construction site.
Driver Pronounced Dead at Mbagathi Hospital
Following the incident, Njiri was urgently taken to Mbagathi Hospital for medical attention.
However, medical personnel pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Police officers who visited the scene and the hospital reportedly established that his body had no visible external injuries despite the fatal electrocution.
His remains were later transferred to Mbagathi Funeral Home, where they are being preserved as the family awaits a postmortem examination to establish the medical cause of death.
Workplace Safety Concerns Raised
The incident highlights the dangers associated with construction activities involving heavy machinery and overhead electricity infrastructure.
Tipper trucks often require their trailers to be raised during offloading, making it important for operators and site supervisors to identify overhead power lines before beginning such operations.
Adequate clearance, proper site assessments and adherence to electrical safety procedures are essential in preventing similar tragedies.
Njiri’s death is another painful reminder of the risks workers can face while carrying out routine duties, particularly in environments where heavy equipment operates close to live electrical infrastructure.
A routine workday has ended in tragedy, raising an important question: how many workplace accidents can be prevented through better safety precautions?
