Three bodies out of seven people who drowned in River Muuoni on Thursday night have been recovered 100 kilometers away from the scene of the incident.
The body of Agnes Munyao (60) was retrieved at Ndunguni village, Kikuumini location while the bodies of Rodah Kimunduu (60) and Mwikali Ndunga (60) were recovered at Kavete, in Kiboko in Makindu Subcounty respectively on Friday.
However, the bodies of Esther Mutaiti (60), Emma Mulei (30), Dorcas Mutuku (30) and Jimmy Nguku (60) are yet to be found.
Speaking to the media, an eye witness Mathew Mutiso Maweu told the media that the seven people who came from an event in Nairobi refused to be assisted before the water levels increased.
“We tried twice to rescue the seven people who were holding hands together, but each time they refused. While they were in the middle of the crossing point, the raging waters increased and swept them away,” said Maweu.
The rescue mission is being coordinated by Red Cross County Coordinator Evans Peter and comprises Makueni County Fire, the National Drought Management Authority, and the National Administration among others.
“The deceased met their death as they crossed from Kavuthu to Mutyambua on Thursday night. One body has been taken to Kilome Nursing Home and the other two bodies taken to Makindu Sub-County Hospital mortuary,” said Nzaui Subcounty Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Mr. Timothy Tirop while speaking to the media Friday at the Muuoni River.
“People should be cautious with these flooded rivers during this rainy season, this water kills. If you come and find the river is flooded, please don’t cross,” warned Tirop.
When KNA reached the scene, there were hundreds of passengers who were stranded on either side of the road. Students from Mutanda Girls, Ngoto Boys, and Barazani secondary schools were also stranded there.
However, many pedestrians were forced to be carried on the back and they had to part with Sh100 per trip. Some people who were going to the funeral of a person who drowned last week had to wait for the water to subside before crossing.
By Patrick Nyakundi
