By Osinde Obare
Flash floods have killed two school boys in West Pokot County, bringing to four the number of people killed in the region over the past two weeks.
Pokot Central OCPD Nicholas Musila said the two, aged 16 and 17 were crossing Kale River when they were swept away by raging floods.
Musila said the incident happened in Kalabaro Sub Location in Chesogon division. The OCPD said the two boys were pupils of Tamakal Primary School and were crossing the flooded river when they met their deaths.
“One of the boys was escorting the other after visiting his home when they tried to cross the river before the flash floods swept them downstream,” said the OCPD.
Musila said police officers and residents managed to trace and retrieved their bodies from Wei Wei River 3km away.
The OCPD said the bodies were moved to Kapenguria district hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
Musiala warned the residents against crossing flooded rivers because it is risking their lives.
A fortnight ago, a woman and a nursery school child drowned after they were swept away by floodwater while crossing Wei Wei River. Heavy rains pounding the region have caused massive destruction of crops at Wei Wei irrigation schemes and left farmers counting on losses.
A local Catholic Priest Patrick Murunga told The Standard that the floods have uprooted mango trees in the area and destroyed the main source of income for the residents.
“The rains have caused havoc. Farmers are counting losses running into millions of shillings after the destruction of maize and mango trees,” he said.
