The death toll of those who have drowned in Migori since January rose to seven on Tuesday after a diver was swept away while searching for the bodies of two students in River Kuja.
Nyakuru Mixed Secondary School students Caroline Atieno and Felix Omondi drowned on Monday evening on their way home when their boat capsized while crossing the river at Wath Ondiegi.
Diver Gordon Onyango Ojwang, 28, and others were trying to retrieve the bodies of the Form Two learners. The girl's body had not been found yesterday.
Ojwang’s and Omondi's bodies were retrieved and taken to Migori referral hospital mortuary, according to Kakmasia East assistant chief Eliakim Ayuka.
Ayuka said other students in the boat swam to safety.
On Sunday evening, four-year-old Ajak Maina drowned at Dago Kondigo after River Nyasore burst its banks, sweeping away footbridges, Kodero Bara assistant chief Edward Mikwa said. His companions survived.
North Kadem ward administrator Sarok Acholla feared that there might be more deaths if schools in low-lying areas in Nyatike are not closed.
He identified some of the schools as Nyora, Kabuto, Sere, Angugo and Modi.
Migori county parents association chairman Julius Kiverenge called on Education CS George Magoha to temporarily close the institutions to avert more disasters.
“Students now travel long distances to access their schools to avoid swollen rivers,” Kiverenge said.
He said a footbridge linking Migori Primary to Migori Complex Secondary School was swept away on Sunday after heavy rains.