Divers join search for missing elderly women swept by flood in Baringo

The search for the bodies will continue downstream. [iStockphoto]

Amateur divers are still searching for the bodies of two elderly women who drowned as they crossed Kerio River in Baringo County.

Chemakany Ngolekeny, 62, and Cheposemcho Namunyuny, 57, were swept away by raging floods on Saturday at around 11am as they crossed the river from Lokis within Tirioko ward in Tiaty West.

Tiaty West Deputy County Commissioner Jackton Orieny said the women were crossing the river that connects Baringo and West Pokot counties.

"They had gone shopping and when they attempted to cross the river back home, they were swept away by the waters that had increased in volume due to the ongoing rains," the administrator told The Standard yesterday.

He said other women who had accompanied them but survived reported the incident, prompting local leaders, the public and authorities to commence the search.

Orieny said the place where the two were swept away is the normal crossing point for most residents but the women appeared to have miscalculated their steps and were swept away.

He said the search for the bodies will continue downstream.