Written by Leonard Wamalwa and Phanice Chepkemoi 2012-04-30 20:43:00 Read 783 Times

The body of the seven-year boy laid on the ground on a Lesso at the Kitale District headquarters. [Photo|Leonard Wamalwa|West Fm]

A body of a seven year old boy was recovered from River Chetoto after he slipped and drowned in it on Sunday.

The residents who are said to have been engaged in a searching exercise for the boy immediately he slipped into the water said their efforts did not yield as they did not have equipments to succeed in the process during the night. 

"We searched for the child till midnight but to no avail because we did not have torches and other equipments to enable us trace the body in the darkness hence we called off the exercise at midnight and resumed at 4AM before finally getting the body at around 8a.m, said one of the demonstrators at the DC's office.

The child who is said to have been in the company of his mother while coming from church slipped into the water at a bridge-like culvert along Chetoto stream after the mother who was carrying another child on her back could not manage to get hold of the boy to cross the flooded stream that had overflown the culvert.

However the angry residents argued that the child could have been saved if the police officers who passed the area with their Land Cruiser vehicle could have supported them to search for the child immediately.

"When the police came with their vehicle we informed them of the incident and asked for their assistance even to just help to light the river using their torches but they refused saying they were going to arrest Chang'aa brewers and drinkers at Shanti estate and thus they left," one of the residents said while addressing reporters at the DC's offices. 

Kipsongo residents carrying the body of the deceased in a Lesso as they demonstrated to the DC's offices before heading with the body to the mortuary. [Photo|Leoanard Wamalwa|West Fm]

The situation triggered the residents to demonstrate along the streets of Kitale with the body of the child to the district headquarters where they called upon the government to rehabilitate and expand the bridge to minimize the risks especially during the rainy season. 

They questioned police response during times of calamities as compared to the response they always show whenever they are called upon to arrest illegal brews or drugs in the area. 

Trans Nzoia West Administration police commandant Peter Kiragu addressed them and before they headed for the Kitale district hospital mortuary with the body wrapped in a Lesso as they chanted songs and shouts calling for their rights.

At the same time when reached for comment, Kitale OCS Roba Galgalo dismissed their claims saying that they were rowdy and did not allow police to assist them in the incident. 

Elsewhere, a 47 year old man was found dead at Kigai village in Mt.Elgon district after being swept away by raging floods. 

The incident occurred at around 6:30 Sunday evening when the victim by the name Titus Wanyonyi while he going home. Elsewhere, in the neighboring village a one and a half year old baby was found dead after the floods entered the house she was sleeping. 

According to the deputy OCPD of Mt. Elgon Ezekiel Kiche, the child was left sleeping on the floor when the incident occurred. 

This is not the first time the same incident has occurred, last month a four year old boy died and five others injured after a rolling boulder destroyed their house while sleeping at night. 

Mr. Kiche has called on the residents to build their house on a raised place and to plant more trees in order to stop the damages being caused by heavy rains.

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