Shock as debt-ridden woman jumps off motorbike into swollen river

By Caleb Kingwara | 4yrs ago | 2 min read

A debt-ridden woman jumped off a motorbike and cast herself into river Kuja, fearing that auctioneers would sell her property over an unpaid debt.

The 23-years old from Ongito village in Uriri, Migori County had apparently been threatened by members of a local Sacco to pay up a debt of Sh9,000 or she be auctioned, police say.

While confirming the incident, Uriri sub-county police commander, Peter Njoroge said preliminary reports show that Sylvia Aluoch jumped into the river on Thursday, following pressure from creditors.

“The woman secured the soft loan from the local sacco and was under pressure to re-pay. Investigations show she was unable to raise the money and opted to jump into the rives,” said Njoroge.

Njoroge said the lady had attended a merry go round with Wabongo B Group in, which she was a member, but failed produce the Sh9,000 loan and members were nagging her to pay up

He said her colleagues threatened to auction some of her property to recover the money or get her jailed. She is said to have boarded a motorcycle to her home, but alighted on the way and decided to jump into the swollen river.

“She was carried on a motorbike by one of the group members whom she requested to alight and pick her leso which had dropped. When the motorbike stopped she jumped off and dived into River Kuja,” explained the police chief.

The officer noted that attempts to rescue the lady were futile as “the raging waters swept her downstream”.

“That was a small debt that never warranted such a weird action. I could have even chipped in and paid the money if I was approached over the matter,” said the police chief.