8-year-old boy tragically drowned while hunting for ducks in a swamp in Icang’i village, Kirinyaga County. The Grade 3 pupil, whose identity has not been disclosed, was with three friends at the time of the accident. The incident has cast a shadow over the small community and highlighted the pressing issue of the dangerous swamp area.
The boy, along with his friends, had ventured into the swamp in search of ducks and their eggs. The swamp, which has gradually expanded over time, has become increasingly hazardous, especially after the heavy rainfall this year. According to Michael Chomba, a local resident, the swamp now occupies two acres of land that was once part of Icang’i Primary School’s playing ground.
“The swamp has been developing slowly and turned worse after heavy rainfall this year,” Chomba told Citizen Digital. His concerns are echoed by other residents, who have observed the dangerous conditions of the swamp.
On the fateful day, the children were spotted by a local man who was cutting grass for his livestock. Armed with fishing nets and ropes, they were throwing stones to lure ducks into the water. The man saw the boys in the water and witnessed the harrowing scene as they struggled to stay afloat. Despite their efforts, only three of the four children managed to escape the treacherous waters. The fourth boy, however, was overcome by the water and drowned.
One of the surviving boys recounted that they had managed to hit a duck with a stone, which fell into the water. They were attempting to retrieve both the duck and its eggs when they were suddenly overtaken by the swamp’s dangerous conditions. The children had traveled from Gathoge specifically for this duck hunting expedition, and it was not their first time in the swamp.
The search and rescue efforts were challenging. Residents, with assistance from a police officer from the Piai police post, eventually managed to recover the boy’s body, which was found more than 60 meters away from the swamp. The recovery process was arduous, underscoring the dangerous nature of the swamp and the difficulty in navigating its murky waters.
The boy’s body was taken to Kibugi Funeral Home as the local community mourned the tragic loss. Mwea-East Police Commander Patrick Nyaanga confirmed that an investigation into the incident has been launched. The investigation aims to understand the circumstances leading to the drowning and to prevent future tragedies in the area.
In the wake of the tragedy, residents are calling for urgent intervention by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). They have requested that the agency address the growing concerns about the swamp’s expansion and its impact on the community. The local school has taken precautionary measures by fencing off the dangerous area in an attempt to prevent further accidents.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased safety measures and environmental management to protect communities, especially vulnerable children, from such preventable accidents. The swamp, which has become a hazardous area due to environmental changes, now demands immediate attention to ensure the safety of all who live in its vicinity.
