Kenyan Footballer Killed by Lightning Strike

A 20-year-old man died when he was struck by lightning as he came off a football pitch to celebrate a draw against their opponents in Funyula Constituency, Western Kenya

Allan Mbote, from Red Sharks FC, died instantly and six friends were injured as they celebrated their team’s equalizer against arch-rivals Reybentos during the launch of a local tournament dubbed Nangina Ward Cup.

Kenyatta University, the college that the deceased was a student, confirmed the defender’s death through their Twitter handle, saying they had lost the second year student:

“Dimmed Star: Red Sharks’ Allan Mbote killed by lightning, 6 others injured.”

Fans at the Luchululo Primary School grounds, where the match was being played, told reporters that Red Stars were trailing 1-0 at half time during the encounter that was interrupted by intermittent rains.

When the match resumed after the rains had subsided, Red Sharks levelled but as the players raced towards the corner flag in celebration, the tragedy stuck killing Mbote on the spot and injuring six others, who are now recuperating at Nangina Mission Hospital.

Red Sharks are the defending champions of the tournament which is regularly held on December, having hammered Reybentos 5-0 to lift the Cup at Funyula Sports grounds.