An evening walk home from church turned tragic after an 85-year-old man was killed in a horrifying bee attack that also left three of his family members injured in Homa Bay County.
The deceased, identified as Mzee James Olwal Obongo, died on the spot after a swarm of bees attacked him at Magare Village in Homa Bay Town on Saturday evening.
According to area Assistant Chief Washington Kidew, the elderly man was returning home from a church function when he accidentally disturbed a swarm of bees hiding in a nearby bush.
“The bees suddenly emerged from the bush and attacked him. He did not survive the attack,” Kidew said.
In a desperate attempt to save him, Obongo’s family members rushed to his aid — but the bees turned on them as well.
His wife Siprosa Anyango, son Kennedy Omondi, and grandson sustained serious injuries after being stung repeatedly during the rescue attempt.
“The bees took revenge on them as they tried to help,” the assistant chief explained.
Members of the public intervened and rescued the injured family members, rushing them to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, where they received treatment and were later discharged.
Meanwhile, the body of Mzee Obongo has been preserved at the Homa Bay mortuary as the family makes burial arrangements.
The tragic incident has shocked residents, with local leaders urging caution when moving through bushy areas, especially during dry seasons when bee attacks are more frequent.
