Avoid flooded rivers to save lives - Machakos residents told

Machakos County Commissioner John Ondego has cautioned motorists against crossing flooded rivers saying they'll be risking their lives and that of their passengers.

The County Commissioners urged residents to wait until water levels drop to normal before attempting to cross.

“We are witnessing some rivers getting flooded, swollen, thereby sweeping away people as recently witnessed in Kitui County.

“Let us be cautious while crossing rivers. You may fail to reach your destination in the event you are swept by floodwaters,” Ondego told the Star on Wednesday.

He also urged residents to take care of their children saying many cases of them drowning have been reported in the county.

“Let’s take care of our children also, some have reportedly drowned. It’s saddening to lose children and adults due to flooding,” Ondego said.

Drowning cases

The remarks by the County Commissioner comes after a man went missing after his vehicle was swept away by raging floods as he attempted to cross River Mithini in Machakos County on the night of December 25.

Joseah Kitavi, a lab technician at Kavumbu dispensary was, according to police, driving his motor vehicle, Toyota Rush from Masii township towards Green Hub junction when the vehicle was swept by raging floods at a drift of Mithini river.

The wreckage was discovered 500 metres downstream away from the drift where the car was swept by the floods.

Elsewhere in Kathiani Sub County, the body of a 36-year-old man was retrieved from River Syulunguni on December 22.

Muia Muasya was reportedly swept away by the waters while he attempted to cross the river after a heavy downpour last Tuesday night.

Residents conducted a search for Muia after he went missing before alerting officers from Kathiani police station who later discovered his body in the river.

They helped retrieve the body last Wednesday.

Suicide cases

At the same time, the County Commissioner weighed in on the rising cases of suicide in the county.

He appealed to those distressed to seek available solutions from close relatives, friends and even authorities when things seem to be out of control.

“Problems and differences always arise. Let’s look for guidance on how to solve the problems from local provincial administration, clergy, professional counsellors or elders,” he noted.

Edited by Bosco Marita