A tragic incident occurred in Mlolongo, Machakos County, on Sunday afternoon when a three-and-a-half-year-old boy drowned in an open manhole at a construction site in the area. The boy, identified as the only child of Janet Nyaboke and Hellon Samson, had been playing with friends near the unfinished building when he fell into the manhole around 3:00 p.m.
Upon receiving the distressing news, Nyaboke rushed to the scene from her workplace, only to find a crowd and police officers at the site. “I don’t know what to do,” she told the Star, overcome with grief. Her husband, Samson, described how their son had been healthy and playing joyfully earlier that day before the devastating call. The child was later taken to Kitengela Level 4 hospital for preservation pending an autopsy.
Local authorities, including Athi River East Subcounty police commander Anderson Mbae, confirmed the drowning and said investigations were underway. “We received the drowning report and launched investigations on the matter,” Mbae stated, with plans to provide more details after the probe is completed.
The incident has left the local community in shock, as residents recalled similar occurrences in the area. “This isn’t the first time a child has fallen into the same manhole and died,” a concerned local shared. Many have called for immediate action from the authorities, demanding measures to prevent further loss of life.
The building, which is still under construction, has been criticized for leaving open pits, manholes, and other hazardous features exposed. Paul Mutavi, the village elder of Mlolongo Phase Three, condemned the unsafe conditions, citing previous incidents where animals and even other children had fallen into similar manholes. “Some people construct houses and leave these dangerous pits uncovered, endangering everyone,” Mutavi said.
In response, a local resident took immediate action by covering the dangerous manhole with construction materials. However, the community is now pushing for accountability, with many urging the government to hold investors and property developers responsible for ensuring that construction sites are secure and free from hazards that pose a risk to public safety.
As the family grieves, they are pleading for justice, hoping the tragedy will spark necessary changes in the oversight of construction practices in Mlolongo and other parts of the region. The call for accountability and enhanced safety measures is growing louder, as the community demands that no more lives are lost to negligence.
