A 13-year-old, grade 7 pupil at Kaloleni Annex Junior School, lost his life following an accident where strong currents of the Tuwan River swept him away.
The pupil hailing from Mitume slums in Saboti Constituency, Trans Nzoia County, was skateboarding along the Mitume-Tuwan road when the accident occurred.
Francis Buluma, an eyewitness narrated the events leading to the accident.
“The boy lost control while skateboarding and his skateboard fell into the river. He tried to get it back and in the process, he slipped and fell into Tuwan River and that is how we lost him,” Buluma said.
He said firefighters from the County government of Trans Nzoia were called and responded in good time and they managed to retrieve the body about four kilometres downstream.
A neighbour of the deceased identified as Mercy said Austin was a jovial boy who interacted well with other children in the area.
“He was a very responsible boy that is why he did not want to lose his friend’s skateboard. We also ask the government to erect rail guards on this bridge,” Mercy said.
Children’s safety during rainy season
Ronald Simiyu, the Trans Nzoia Chief Fire Officer urged parents to take care of their children during this rainy season.
His sentiments were echoed by Tuwan ward Member of County Assembly Francis Were.
“It is our passionate appeal to parents that let us be very careful and let’s not allow our children to play outside or along rivers and streams of water during this period. It is very dangerous,” Were and Simiyu urged.
“Barriers on the bridge would help prevent such accidents from happening again. It’s not just children at risk, motorcycles and vehicles can also skid off and plunge into the river,” he stressed.
Joseph Tenai, the acting Trans Nzoia County Police Commander said investigations have been launched.
The boy’s body has been taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital mortuary. Over the past two weeks, three other Kenyans have drowned in various parts of Trans Nzoia County
