12 feared dead as bus swept away by floods

At least 12 people are feared dead after a mini-bus carrying more than 30 passengers was washed away by raging floods at Agolo Muok Bridge along the border of Migori and Homa Bay counties.

Five passengers had been positively identified by last evening .

They are Peter Olawa Ochieng, 63, who was a beach leader at Kinda, Lillian Auma, 30, a nurse at Magunga sub-district hospital, Dorcas Adhiambo, 53, Maureen Odeke, 40, and five-year-old Brenda Anyango.

The five-year-old girl was said to have been with two of her sisters and her mother. They survived.

The bodies of the dead were taken to St Camullus Hospital Mortuary.

County Police Commander John Omusanga said seven other passengers were still missing and search and recovery was ongoing.

Mr Omusanga said 21 other people were treated and discharged from St Camullus Hospital.

FLOOD BRIDGE

The accident occurred on Friday at about 6.30 pm after the driver of the minibus christened “Gweth Ruoth” (God’s blessing) heading to Nyandiwa drove across the flooded bridge.

According to survivor Joseph Okwara, who broke the window of the minibus using his knee, the driver ventured into the swollen waters after seeing a Probox crossing safely.

“We pleaded with the driver to wait until the water had subsided but he insisted that since the smaller Probox had made it across, he would easily do so,” said Mr Okwara.

“It was all hell as everybody scrambled to get out of the bus as the water level from the hills continued to rise. Those unable to escape through the window were swept away,” he said.

Elsewhere, about 1,000 families have been displaced by floods in Migori County after Rivers Migori and Kuja burst their banks.

Homes in Konyango, Kabuto, Kanyawanga and Manywanda villages in Nyatike sub-county were submerged on Friday night.

Families are now camping at Nyora and Kabuto primary schools in dire need of food, tents and malaria drugs, according to Kakelo-Kakoth sub–location assistant chief Sospeter Oloo.

Migori County acting Speaker Boaz Okoth asked the department of disaster and the environment to assist the flood victims.

County environment executive committee member Elijah Odhiambo said they had distributed blankets and mosquito nets.

In Tharaka Nithi, families that relocated to Mugona from the Ngongu Valley due to landslides have appealed for food and clothing.

There are more than 15 families comprising about 80 people staying at Mugona Young Men Christian Association Centre.

John Marete, 75, told the Sunday Nation that children and the elderly  are falling sick due to cold weather and lack of food. “Three children have been taken to Mitheru Dispensary due to the cold weather,” said Mr Marete. “We were brought here by officers from the Kenya Red Cross who gave us one tent and some blankets,” he said.

Another resident, Mr Philip Mutwiri, said they may have to go back to the risky valley unless they receive food.