Probe as house help dies after church staircase stampede in Embakasi, Nairobi

A 28-year-old woman died following a stampede at a church in Embakasi, Nairobi, after a fall on an unfinished staircase triggered panic among worshippers.

According to police, the incident occurred on April 29, 2026, at around 1:30 pm as congregants were leaving the church.

The victim, identified as Grace Nyambura, was accompanying her employer and her daughter when she slipped on the staircase.

Her fall caused a chain reaction, leading to a stampede in which several worshippers fell and sustained injuries.

Two children—aged 9 and 4—were among those injured. 

They were rushed alongside Nyambura to a local hospital for treatment.

The children were treated and discharged in stable condition. The other adults sustained minor injuries, police who visited the scene said.

Nyambura, however, sustained severe injuries and was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she later succumbed at around 4 am the following day.

Police officers visited the scene and established that the church building is still under construction. 

The staircase where the incident occurred was found to be incomplete, with only wooden guard rails in place.

The body was moved to the mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man died after being electrocuted while visiting a garage in Lamu county.

The incident occurred at Mbwajumwali Garage in Lamu East Sub-County.

The deceased, identified as Mohammed Athman, had taken his matatu for repairs on April 29, 2026, and returned the following day to check on the progress.

Police say that while a mechanic was welding the vehicle, Athman was seated on the ground and in contact with the car when he was apparently electrocuted—likely due to electrical earthing during the welding process. He lost consciousness at the scene.

Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, and he was rushed to Faza Subcounty Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

An autopsy has since been conducted, and burial arrangements are underway at Kizingitini Cemetery.

In a different incident,  police in Uasin Gishu county are investigating a suspected murder after a 32-year-old man died under unclear circumstances following a drinking spree in Chepkanga area.

The incident was initially reported on April 30, 2026, at around 4:40 pm by the deceased’s employer.

The deceased, identified as Cornelius Kimeli Nandi, had reportedly gone to Chepkanga Centre to take alcohol with colleagues before later attempting to return home.

Police say he became heavily intoxicated and fell along the way, after which his workmates assisted him home. 

However, he appeared weak and was later rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A follow-up examination conducted on May 1, 2026, revealed physical injuries on the deceased’s forehead, raising suspicion over the cause of death.

The body was preserved at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, awaiting post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.