Locals stare at death as killer gulley continues to widen

KEnHA Western Regional Director Isaiah Onsongo (C) leads Kakamega county engineers inspecting the place where the killer ditch is located at Lurambi in Kakamega town on March 13, 2019. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Residents of Lurambi estate in Kakamega town have urged the county government to help them fill a dangerous gully.

The 25-foot gully has been in existence for the last 30 years. It is turning to be a death trap for locals.

People living around the Kakamega ASK showground can hardly access their homes since the gully has kept widening, forcing them to take a longer route.

Zachariah Bubusi, whose parcel of land borders the gully, said it has claimed the lives of over 15 people in six years

Besides the 15 people who died after falling into the ditch, at least 40 others are nursing lifetime injuries sustained from falls into the gully.

Hillary Ivashe, 24, fell into the gully when it was half full with rain water  “I was carrying iron sheets and firewood on my bicycle and when I fell there,” said Mr Ivashe.

County Roads Executive Collins Matemba said they have partnered with the Kenya National Highways Authority to have the problem rectified.