Two children drown in pit latrine Ol Karao

Ol Kalao, Kenya: Two children drowned in a newly constructed pit latrine in Mirangine, Ruiri sub-location.

Eunice Waithera and Lucy Wangui had been left at home by their parents on Sunday but were found floating in the flooded pit latrine.

Mirangine police boss Thomas Sangut said the two had been playing with other children before they fell into the latrine.

“The minors were reported to have slid into the uncovered pit latrine that was still under construction and died on the spot,” said Mr Sangut.

Residents removed the bodies, which were later taken to the Ol Kalou Hospital mortuary.

The police boss warned residents against leaving construction sites unfenced, saying the accident could have been prevented if the latrine was covered.

 SUICIDES ON RISE

“Builders must be more careful around residential areas to avoid such accidents,” said Sangut.

Elsewhere, a man committed suicide by hanging himself using a rope in his room in Ndonga village, Subukia sub-county over the weekend.

Subukia OCPD Alex Ng’ang’a said the deceased, Simon Wanjohi, was found by his neighbours after he failed to turn up at work.

Mr Ng’ang’a said residents broke into his house and found him hanging from the roof.

His body was taken to Nakuru Municipal Mortuary for a postmortem examination while police officers started investigating the death.

The police boss said suicides were on the rise in the area.

“There are four cases of children who killed themselves,” he noted.

Last week, a pupil of Maombi Primary School was found hanging from a tree in Maombi Forest, Subukia.

In May this year, a Form Three student was found dead in a coffee plantation after drinking pesticide.