Two school going children drowned yesterday at Omogonga River in Nyamache Sub-county in Kisii due to heavy rains in the area. The victims were a Grade Four pupil, Ken Ongaga, and his younger cousin who were playing near the river before the calamity befell them.
In a separate incident, two children suffered from serious injuries caused by thunder at their school in Ibencho location in Bomachoge Chache Constituency on Tuesday evening.
Kisii County Weather man, Henry Sese, told parents to take extra care of their children during the ongoing rains in order to prevent them from dangers associated with the heavy downpour.
Sese was speaking at Kisii town after learning about the death of the two pupils.
“My son had just gone down our garden to play with his cousin near the river with least knowledge that their last day had come.” said the tearful father of Ken Ongaga.
The incident was reported at Nyamache Police Station before they trailed the river and retrieved the two bodies 300 metres away from the area they reportedly drowned.
The bodies were taken to Nyamache Hospital Mortuary for preservation.
Nyamache Sub-county Director of Education, Linet Onduso confirmed the death of the two as she condoled with the parents at Bokinami Village in Kisii County.
“We have witnessed the sudden death and wish the parents and the siblings of the deceased to recover soon from the shock and continue with their normal life,” she said.
The officer asked residents to reinforce the life skills knowledge imparted to the learners by teachers in order to help them when they face danger.
In Ibencho location where lightning struck a school, the head teacher of the institution, Kenyerere Primary School, said victims were among 19 pupils who were studying in their classroom when the incident occurred.
The affected pupils were taken to Kenyenya and Ogembo Sub-county Hospitals where they were treated and released but the two seriously injured ones were retained at Ogembo hospital.
“They will remain with us for some time to enable us monitor their health progress,” said the medical officer.
Sengera Bosoti Ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Peter Mokua was among the first people to visit the school where he advised parents and teachers not allow their children to take shelter under trees in order to avoid more danger from thunderstorms.
He promised to provide funds for the construction of one extra classroom that will be used by learners to study smoothly without congestion in class.
Parents who were led by Peter Ayunga appealed to both National and County governments to provide lightning arresters to the school, saying that the institution has suffered from a series of 11 thunder storms.
By Enock Okong’o
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