Villagers search for body of boy who drowned in Thiba Riba
Villagers wade through Thiba River in Kirinyaga County in search of the body of a six-year-old boy who drowned while playing with his friends on November 12, 2019. Locals have appealed for help to search for the body. PHOTO | GEORGE MUNENE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Strong water currents swept him downstream.
- His friends fled in panic and alerted villagers who embarked on a search for the boy.
- The incident happened just after Mwea MP Kabinga Wathayu left the village.
A six-year-old boy drowned in Thiba River following heavy rains that have been pounding Kirinyaga County.
The incident brings to five the number of residents who have been killed by floods since the rains started.
He was playing with his three friends on the banks of the flooded river in Gakungu village on Tuesday when he accidentally fell into the river.
Strong water currents swept him downstream.
ALERTED VILLAGERS
On seeing what had happened, his friends fled in panic and alerted villagers who embarked on a search for the boy.
Villagers combed the river banks for hours but gave up after they failed to trace the nursery school boy.
"We have looked for the minor everywhere but we could not find him," said Ms Nancy Koori.
The incident happened just after Mwea MP Kabinga Wathayu left the village.
NO BRIDGE
The MP had toured the area following complaints that the village lacks a bridge for crossing the river.
He assured the villagers that a bridge will be erected as it is dangerous to cross the river on foot.
Mr Wathayu appealed to the government to dispatch divers to the village to assist in the search for the body.
"It is unfortunate that we have lost a young boy who is in school. The government should respond urgently," the MP said.
