TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

A routine walk turned tragic for an elderly woman after an unexpected bee attack in Homa Bay County.

Anastasia Bunde Oyugi, aged 70, lost her life after being stung multiple times by a swarm of bees at Ratang’a trading centre in Central Kwabwai location, Ndhiwa sub-county.

The incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, July 2, as she was walking past a solar light pole unaware that it housed a concealed beehive.

According to Central Kwabwai location chief George Olang’o, the bees are believed to have been agitated by a nearby roadworks project.

A tractor was grading a feeder road adjacent to the trading centre, and the vibrations from the heavy machinery likely disturbed the hive, prompting the insects to react defensively.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the elderly woman screamed for help as the bees descended on her.

Bystanders managed to rescue her from the swarm and rushed her to a nearby private health facility. Unfortunately, despite medical efforts, Anastasia succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.

The incident shocked residents and reignited concerns over safety hazards in public areas.

The tragic death of Anastasia is not an isolated case. Recent months have seen a worrying rise in fatal bee attacks across different parts of Kenya, raising serious concerns.

In May, 31-year-old Caleb Boit became another victim of a deadly bee encounter in Kiamunyi Estate, Nakuru county.

Boit was heading home from church on Sunday, May 11, when a swarm of bees attacked him without warning. CCTV footage later captured the horrifying moment he desperately tried to fend off the insects from his face and body.

Despite being rushed to Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital and admitted to the ICU, he succumbed to the injuries the following day.

A post-mortem revealed that he had suffered multiple stings, including on his eyelids, which caused critical swelling in his respiratory system, ultimately leading to his death.

A similar incident occurred just a month earlier in Siaya county. On the evening of April 15, retired agriculture officer Charles Ochomo Ombet was stung to death while working on his farm in Rang’ala location, Ugunja sub-county.

Accompanied by a tractor operator to help with ploughing, Ochomo was caught off guard when a swarm of bees emerged and descended on them.

While the operator managed to escape, Ochomo was left behind and overwhelmed by the aggressive swarm. By the time locals arrived, he was unconscious, and efforts to save his life at the hospital were unsuccessful.

Source: TUKO.co.ke