A search operation for the body of a 13-year-old boy who on Friday drowned in Athi River in Kitui County was called off prematurely due to presence of hippos.
The chief of Nthongoni location in Kitui Rural Sub- County Willie Mutunga was forced to call off responders from continuing the search for the body of the standard six boy at Kathome Primary after hippos were seen approaching the area where the divers were searching for the body.
Tragedy struck Kathemboni village after the boy mysteriously disappeared while on a swimming expedition in Athi River.
Rescue operation for the young boy whose body was believed to be trapped in rocks under the waters had to be abruptly called off due to the presence of the marauding and dangerous hippos.
An uncle to the drowned boy Philip Mulee lamented that even at the time the search mission was suspended yesterday at 6pm, no properly equipped expert divers from either the county or national government had arrived to offer help.
According to the area Chief the search operation will resume today morning once the safety of the divers was guaranteed.
Mulee said it was the family hope and prayer that the body of their kin will be found soon.
By Denson Mututo
