Families whose children drowned in Homa Bay want speedy probe

Families of two school boys who drowned in River Arujo in Homa Bay Town constituency want the police to expedite investigations following their deaths.

The grade three pupils of Lieta Kabunde Primary School in the constituency drowned after they were allegedly sent back home for money by the school.

The children are Paul Juma, 9, and Peter Ochieng, 10.

The school head teacher Cosmas Nyore when contacted on the matter said he could not comment on it but referred but referred this writer to the area Sub-county Director of Education.

“The Sub-county Director of Education already has the comprehensive information. Kindly talk to her bout this incident,” Nyore said.

The Sub-county Director of Education Ziada Osano said she could not speak about the matter at that time.

The minors allegedly branched and drowned in the river near Obambo area on Wednesday morning.

Hilder Juma, the mother of Jim Paul alleged that the school wanted Sh1,000 for the son.

She alleges that she managed to pay Sh200 but the school insisted that she clear the balance by sending her son back home to collect the remaining amount.

“Let the police speed up the investigations to establish what caused the death of my son," Juma said.

The mother blamed the school for not notifying her before allegedly sending her son back home.

The family wants the school to explain the cause of her son’s death.

“My son went to school but I was shocked he was found dead in the river after being sent home. I need an explanation from the school,” she added.

Ochieng's father Samson Nyong'o also demanded answers.

“Sadly, I have lost my son,” Nyong’o said.

“Until now, the school has insisted that it doesn't know how the children died in the river. They are distancing themselves from the incident and we need justice as a family.”

Homa Bay Town police commander Peter Maluki said they had begun investigations into the incident.

“The information we have is that the children were swimming. But we are going on with investigations into the matter,” Maluki said.