Two young boys drowned while swimming in River Kwilitoi, West Pokot, on Wednesday, throwing Kamito village into mourning once again as it is reported that the river has claimed five lives in the recent past.
The two, identified as Isaac Ruto and Elias Rotich, both aged 10 years, are grade three pupils at Kodongou Primary School.
Another boy who was in their company escaped death narrowly.
Andrew Limasha, a resident, said they arrived at the scene when it was too late.
“We got their clothes on the river bank and we saw the two bodies,” he said, adding that the river had become dangerous as it had cut its floor downwards.
“We need an alternative place like dams for children to shower. Other people drowned in 1994 and 2007. The river is now 7 meters deep,” he said.
Jane Opata, grandmother of Ruto, said the boy came from school and went straight to swim.
“He changed, ate lunch and went out to swim. My grandchild is the one who fell in the water first and the friend tried to save him and they both drowned,” she said.
“Residents of Nangrotum, Kamito, Kodou, Lopala and Kwilitoi villages need dams and boreholes for people to get water,” Julius Limasya, another resident, said.
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Edward Kakamoi, the Kishaunet Sub-location Assistant Chief who confirmed the incident, warned parents against sending their children to graze livestock alone in dangerous areas.
The bodies of the two were retrieved from the river and taken to Kapenguria County Hospital morgue.
By Evans Kapusia
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