Two drown in River Nzoia while allegedly avoiding police crackdown

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Lilian Okembo and OCPD Jackson Mwenga. Pictures By Peter Ochieng

Two men drowned in Nzoia River yesterday as they attempted to evade arrest during a crackdown on illicit brews.

Musa Wanjala, 23, and Alex Khisa, 28, were walking home from Moi's Bridge when police officers reportedly confronted them in Kapkoi.

The victims are said to have dived into the river as the officers from Kitale Police Station pursued them.

The officers are said to have sped off with other people they had arrested in raids in the area.

Nyumba Kumi initiative chairman John Kidula confirmed the two men met their deaths while running away from the police.

Private divers managed to retrieve the bodies on Monday morning but refused to hand them over. The divers demanded Sh30,000, a black sheep and a cow to perform cultural rites.

Area MCA Simon Makhanu helped to raise Sh40,000 that was given to the divers who then surrendered the bodies.

Conduct rituals

"It is not for prestige that we are demanding a sheep and a cow. This is meant to help us conduct rituals that will stop any bad spirits from harming our families," one of the divers said.

Mr Makhanu blamed the deaths on the officers and demanded action against them.

"These men are innocent. They don't drink alcohol. We want an explanation from the police. Let them tell us why they were chasing them," he said.

The incident is a big blow to the family of Francis Shikuku, Mr Khisa's father, as the deceased was an only child.

Waitaluk Assistant County Commissioner Gabriel Othina termed the incident unfortunate.

Kitale OCPD Jackson Mwenga however declined to comment on the matter, saying he had not received any complaint.

"I'm not aware of the incident and my office has not received any complaint from any family," Mr Mwenga told The Standard.

Local Kenya Red Cross Society boss Ronald Mashindano said 41 people have died from drowning in three years.