Grief as newly married woman slides, drown in River Kuja

Residents of Kobita in Ndhiwa Sub-county camp by the riverside as local divers search for the body of a 21-year-old woman who drowned in River Kuja on Sunday. [James Omoro, Standard]

A newly married woman is reported to have slid and drowned in River Kuja, Homa Bay on Sunday evening.

Locals on Monday recovered the body of a 21-year-old Winnie Aluoch, 24 hours after she disappeared while washing clothes by the riverside. 

Aluoch who is barely two months into her marriage had left Geto village home, Kobita Sub-location in Ndhiwa Sub-county to go wash clothes never to return.

According to area Assistant Chief Joash Osuju, one of Aluoch’s stepdaughters who went to the river to fetch water found only the clothes and containers she had carried to the river but could not trace her. 

“The only items found were some containers and clothes she was washing and her slippers.”

The minor returned home and reported the matter to her parents prompting a search.

On Monday morning, residents through the help of local divers launched an operation of searching for her body in the river.

By mid-morning, the divers pulled the body out of the river.

Osuju said the body had no injuries, making them believe she was not attacked by the crocodile as was earlier thought.

“Initially, we thought she was attacked by a crocodile but we have realised she just fell. The body has no injuries,” Osuju said.

 “It is a sad moment in this village. We have liaised with police to come for the body and undertake investigations into the incident,” he added.

The administrator urged residents to be cautious when using water from the river.

“This river is also infested by crocodiles hence residents should be careful when using it for any purpose,” said Osuj.