Contractor sought after five family members drown in Migori

A picture showing a black Toyota Harrier that plunged into a dam in Migori killing five people on December 25, 2014. PHOTO | COURTESY | NTSA

What you need to know:

  • He said the contractor failed to rehabilitate a crater after excavating materials for road construction.
  • The five family members drowned on Christmas day when their car veered off the road and plunged into the dam.

Police and National Transport and Safety Authority officials are looking for a contractor over the drowning of five family members after their vehicle plunged into a dam in Migori County.

NTSA Road Safety director Mr Mathew Munyao said the contractor will be arrested and charged with negligence.

He said the contractor failed to rehabilitate a crater after excavating materials for road construction.

“The section turned into a dam when it rained. That’s where the vehicle with five family members plunged into,” he said.

Mr Munyao said the act by the contractor was contrary to Environmental Impact Assessment study on measures to be taken on completion of a project.

“The Authority and police have instituted immediate measures to bring the contractor to justice,” he said on Friday.

He claimed some contractors fail to meet their obligations especially when working on roads in remote areas.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

The five family members drowned on Christmas day when their car veered off the road and plunged into the dam.

The family members were travelling from Nairobi to attend a Christmas party at a friend’s home in Midoti Village, Suna East Constituency.

Ms Jane Kavene, her two daughters, her sister-in-law Janet Iria and Ms Iria’s daughter were avoiding a muddy stretch on an unfamiliar road. The girls were less than 10 years old.

She lost control of the vehicle barely 100 metres from her destination.

Ms Kavene, who was visiting the village for the first time, may have been unaware of the dam’s existence.

Mr Munyao advised motorists to be careful and avoid night travel when going to unfamiliar places.