Five people drowned while four were rescued when a motor boat capsized in river Nzoia.
The accident occurred Saturday at Sango in Umala sub location, Siaya county as the boat rider was making a turn back to the river bank after giving a ride to members of a youth group.
Confirming the accident, Siaya deputy county commissioner, Joseph Sawe said that the motor boat had come from Port Victoria.
“We are yet to establish the mission of the motor boat in the area,” said Sawe, adding that the young men were attracted to it and pleaded with the operator to give them a ride.
the deputy county commissioner said that the boat rider initially refused, saying that he could not give them a free ride as the engine consumes fuel.
“The young men agreed to pay the rider sh50 each for a ride” said Sawe, adding that eight of them finally boarded.
the deputy county commissioner said that the ride was smooth until the boat started making a turn back to the river bank. The boat allegedly took in water from the fast flowing river, making it capsize.
“We lost five young men together with the boat and the engine,” said Sawe, adding that four people, among them the boat rider were rescued and rushed to Ambira sub county hospital for treatment.
By Philip Onyango
