Two days after two people died at River Kawalase in Lodwar, another lorry belonging to G4S Company was swept into the same river Tuesday morning.
Turkana central sub county police Commander David Mburokwa warned drivers who endanger the lives of passengers that they would be arrested and prosecuted.
Nine people have so far died in Turkana County due to floods over the last one week. “We cannot continue allowing drivers to endanger lives of passengers,” said Mburokwa.
The accidents have also compromised Covid-19 safety guidelines because members of the public crowd the scenes oblivious of social distancing guidelines.
“We lost two people at River kawalase on Sunday, two in Lokichoggio, one woman in Turkana south and four others who died when a boat capsized in River kerio,” said County commissioner Muthama Wambua.
One body was recovered on Sunday and the other on Monday. People crowded at Kawalase River on Sunday and on Tuesday during the accidents. The county commissioner blamed drivers of being reckless by crossing flooded rivers.
He said these deaths were too many and the government cannot afford to lose even one more life to floods.
“People must learn to be patient and wait whenever rivers flood because they know the dangers that these waters poise,” he added.
On Sunday, a driver and his passenger died at 6am as they attempted to cross flooded river Kawalase.
At the same time, two people died Saturday as they attempted to cross the flooded Lumenyenkirionkon River in Lokichoggio turkana west Sub County.
Area officer commanding police station Harrison Mulolwa said the seven other occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were rescued.
“The driver of a Chinese vehicle underestimated the water levels leading to the calamity,” he said.
By Peter Gitonga
