A sombre mood engulfed Pamba Village in Kajulu East Location, Kisumu County, after a late evening storm turned tragic, killing three members of a family and leaving five others critically injured.

The Thursday night incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. when strong winds accompanied by heavy rainfall uprooted a huge tree that came crashing down on the home of Mr. Gordon Okeyo See, a 60-year-old resident of the area. 

The tree completely flattened the main house, trapping eight family members inside.

According to a report filed at Gita Police Station under OB 15/18/12/2025 at 22:15 hours, police officers led by the OCS, together with the Kisumu County Fire Brigade and members of the public, mounted a rescue operation amid the downpour.

After several tense hours of digging through the rubble, the bodies Mr. Okeyo, Alphonse Karer (8) and Prince Anyul (6) were retrieved.

Five survivors — Salina Ajuang Anyul (72), Kevin Onyango Juma (13), Brian Omondi Ochieng (19), Barak Anwi (7), and Triza Anyul (5) — were rescued alive and rushed to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) for specialized treatment. Police reported that all were admitted in critical condition.

The bodies of the deceased were later moved to the JOOTRH morgue awaiting postmortem examination as investigations by DCI Kisumu East continue.

Assistant Chief Winnie Odundo of Okok Sub-location, who first reported the incident, described the scene as heartbreaking and devastating, calling on residents to remain vigilant during the ongoing heavy rains.

“This tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers that come with strong winds and weakened trees near homesteads,” she said. “We urge families to inspect their surroundings and take precautionary measures before disaster strikes.”

Kisumu East residents are still reeling from the shock of the calamity, as local authorities now warn of further risks posed by unstable structures and trees amid persistent rainfall.