By Doris Moraa | July 18, 2026
A 56-year-old man has died in a tragic workplace accident after the rope he was using snapped while carrying out excavation work inside a borehole in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, Homa Bay County.
The deceased was identified as Wilfred Onyiego, a resident of Rera Village in Kisii County, who had been contracted to deepen an existing borehole at Nyabola Village in Konuong’a Location.
According to preliminary police reports, Onyiego had been hired to excavate and deepen a 20-foot borehole on a private property as part of efforts to improve the water source.
The incident is believed to have occurred on July 15, shortly after the property owner assigned him the excavation work before travelling to Homa Bay Town.
Police said Onyiego descended into the borehole using a rope, which was being used as a safety and access line during the excavation exercise.
However, tragedy struck when the rope reportedly snapped, causing him to plunge to the bottom of the borehole.
Investigators believe the worker sustained fatal injuries from the fall and died at the scene before any rescue operation could be mounted.
The property owner reportedly returned home later that night but did not immediately inspect the excavation site, believing the worker had completed the day’s assignment.
It was not until the afternoon of July 16 that he became concerned after noticing Onyiego’s shirt still hanging on a nearby banana tree, an unusual sight that prompted him to check the borehole.
Upon looking inside, he discovered the worker lying motionless at the bottom of the excavation.
The shocked employer immediately alerted neighbours and local authorities, who responded to the scene alongside police officers.
Security personnel secured the area before retrieving the body from the borehole.
The remains were later transported to the Kehancha Sub-County Hospital Mortuary, where they are awaiting a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Police have launched investigations into the incident to determine whether all occupational safety procedures had been observed during the excavation work.
Detectives are expected to interview the property owner, witnesses and other individuals involved in the project as part of the inquiry.
The tragic incident has renewed concerns over safety standards in manual excavation and borehole construction, particularly in rural areas where workers often operate with limited protective equipment and inadequate safety mechanisms.
Occupational safety experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of using certified lifting equipment, protective harnesses and constant supervision during deep excavation works to minimize the risk of fatal accidents.
Residents of Nyabola Village described Onyiego as an experienced worker who had undertaken similar excavation projects in different parts of the region.
They expressed shock over the incident and called for greater awareness of workplace safety measures to protect labourers engaged in high-risk manual jobs.
The accident has also prompted renewed calls for contractors and property owners to ensure that workers are provided with adequate safety equipment before undertaking hazardous assignments.
As investigations continue, police have urged members of the public and employers to prioritize occupational safety and strictly adhere to recommended safety guidelines during excavation and construction activities.
The fatal accident adds to a growing number of workplace incidents reported across the country, highlighting the need for enhanced enforcement of occupational health and safety regulations to prevent avoidable loss of life.
