Fifteen people have drowned in different parts of Narok County during this rainy season, according to the Narok County Director of Disaster Management Ms. Nancy Laboso.
Ms. Laboso said the trend was worrying as hardly a day ends without an incident of drowning being reported.
She observed that several drowning cases have been reported from River Ewaso Nyiro, River Narok, and River Siyiapei, where people drown as they try to cross the flooded river.
She added that her department, in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society, has put up a lot of effort to try and recover the bodies from the water.
“Sometimes it takes more than a day to recover the body. However, we have experienced divers who help in recovering the bodies from the deep waters,” she said.
The latest incident of drowning was reported yesterday (Wednesday) where a 21-year-old man slid into the river while bathing along the flooded river Narok.
“The body of the man who drowned yesterday is yet to be retrieved. The divers and the Red Cross team are on the ground to help recover the body,” she said.
Ms. Laboso urged the area residents to keep off the river banks and avoid crossing when it is flooded to avoid falling victim to the floods.
She called on the parents to be cautious of their children and ensure they do not play along the river or try to cross the rivers during this rainy season.
Laboso urged the area people to try and use the foot bridge that has been constructed by the national and county government for their safety.
The warning comes at a time when the county continues to receive heavy downpour, with the County Meteorological Department predicting medium rainfall in many parts of the county this week.
By Ann Salaton and Amos Maine
