December 24, 2024, as drowning incidents claimed four lives in separate locations. The unfortunate events unfolded in Tana River County, Uasin Gishu County, and Kilifi County, with local communities and authorities grappling with the devastating losses.
Haroresa Primary School Pupils Drown While Swimming
In Tana River County, four pupils from Haroresa Primary School drowned while swimming. The incident occurred at 5:30 p.m. and was reported the following morning at Waldena Police Station.
According to the police report, the bodies of two pupils, a 12-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, have been retrieved. Efforts are ongoing to recover the bodies of the remaining two children.
“A male resident of Haroresa reported that four pupils of Haroresa Primary School drowned yesterday while swimming at around 1730 hrs. A rescue team was mounted at around 1900 hrs. Two bodies were retrieved a female aged 12 years and a male aged 10 years,” reads the report.
Authorities, including the sub-county police commander and the criminal investigation officer, have visited the scene to gather more information.
27-Year-Old Man Drowns in Hotel Pool
In Uasin Gishu County, a festive swimming session turned tragic when a 27-year-old man, Dennis Kimutai Kemboi, drowned in a hotel swimming pool at Karen Guest House in Kesses Sub County.
Kemboi was part of a group of 20 young men who had arrived at the guest house in Saroiyot Sub-location, Kipchamo Location, around 1 p.m. for an afternoon of swimming. The incident was discovered around 4 p.m. when Kemboi was found unresponsive at the pool’s deep end.
His cousin, Kevin Kipchumba, explained that the group had been enjoying the swim until the unfortunate discovery.
“The body, which showed no visible physical injuries, has been moved to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary in Eldoret, awaiting a postmortem,” police reported.
Kemboi was a boda boda rider from Chepkoilel Stage in Eldoret, and his sudden death has left his friends and family in shock.
Unidentified Body Found Floating in Kilifi
In another incident, fishermen in Kilifi County made a grim discovery early Wednesday morning. An unidentified adult body was found floating along the shore of Juba-Shehe Hamisi Beach in Roka Location, Matsangoni.
The body was spotted at 7:00 a.m. by local fishermen, who promptly reported it to authorities. Investigations are underway to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death.
Rising Cases Highlight the Need for Vigilance
These tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for increased water safety awareness, especially during the festive season when swimming and other recreational activities are popular.
In Tana River, the local community is rallying behind the search and recovery efforts for the missing pupils, hoping for closure. In Uasin Gishu, the death of Kemboi underscores the importance of proper supervision and safety measures at swimming facilities. Meanwhile, the discovery of the unidentified body in Kilifi raises questions about safety and potential hazards along the coastline.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution around water bodies and to prioritize safety measures to prevent such tragedies. Families and friends of the victims are left mourning during a season that should have been filled with joy, highlighting the devastating impact of these incidents.
As investigations continue, the collective hope remains that lessons will be learned to prevent future tragedies and ensure safety for all.
