By Lauryne Akoth
Eight people have been confirmed dead while 14 others have been rescued after a lorry they were traveling in was swept away by raging waters along Sultan Hamud- Kasikeu road in Mukaa Sub-county.
The incident took place around midday on Friday at Muatine Muswii River.
The victims, who had been stranded at the river since morning while en route to Kasikeu market from Sultan Hamud, decided to board the ill-fated lorry.
“Last night it rained heavily and the river Muatine got flooded and many were stranded on the other side. A lorry came carrying ballast and passed, however when the second vehicle came, they boarded the lorry that was later on swept away by raging waters,” said Fredrick Mwololo a resident of Sultan Hamud.
He was speaking to the media at the scene of the accident.
“Members of the public should remain vigilant to avoid further loss of lives in the wake of the ongoing heavy rains in most parts of the country. People should avoid crossing flooded rivers,” said Mukaa Sub County Police Commander Barnabas Ngeno.
However, Ngeno could not confirm the exact number of people who were on the lorry but only noted that the search was still underway.
On his part, Makueni County Government Executive for Devolution Japheth Mang’oka thanked the members of the public, the Kenya Red Cross, and the County Disaster Committee for their prompt action following the tragic incident.
Mang’oka revealed that the lorry remains submerged in the waters, as frantic efforts continue to determine if there are any additional bodies trapped inside.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Sultan Hamud Sub County Hospital mortuary for preservation awaiting autopsy.