- The family of a 41-year-old man is appealing for help to retrieve the body of their loved one from a dam
- Mbugua Kiarie had gone fishing with his son when he drowned, leaving residents and his family shattered
- Efforts to retrieve his body have been futile, as Laikipia residents opened up about the lack of help from the county government
A normal fishing day for a father and his son in Laikipia county has turned tragic, leaving their family in sorrow.
Source: Getty Images
Mbugua Kiarie had gone fishing with his teenage son on Monday, November 10, not knowing he would never return home.
The 41-year-old and his 13-year-old son went in a dam that serves as a vital source of fish and irrigation for the local community when he met his fate.
Mbugua accidentally slipped, fell into the water, and drowned, leaving his young son troubled and helpless.
“I tried to call the chief, but he did not leave his office. I have not received any assistance from the government until now,” a family member said.
Why is it hard to retrieve Mbugua’s body?
Fishing at the dam was something Kiarie had done for many years, and the tragic incident left residents puzzled.
Residents said efforts to retrieve his body had been unsuccessful, given that many of them do not know how to swim.
They also sought help from private divers, who struggled to navigate the waters due to dangerous tree stumps hidden beneath the surface.
Another resident noted that there was a lot of mud and obstacles that made the mission even more difficult.
Locals disappointed with Laikipia county government
“Those tree stumps and sticks make the task harder since when Mbugua drowned, he had clothes on. When your clothes get trapped, it becomes very hard to free yourself,” he said. Another resident added that one diver had been bruised by the tree stumps, making others afraid to enter the water.
The residents remain stranded and without help as their only rescuers pulled out in their moment of need.
They expressed disappointment with the county government’s disaster response, citing a lack of trained personnel.
They also pointed out inadequate safety measures at the dam, highlighting the need for better preparedness.
Residents appeal to Laikipia county government
“No one has shown up here to help. The county government said they have no means to assist. No one under the disaster management department has been employed to handle such incidents,” another resident said.
The dam remains a key lifeline for the community, providing fish and water for irrigation and household use.
Residents appealed to the relevant authorities to help recover Mbugua’s body so his family can give him a proper send-off.
They also urged the government to equip locals with swimming and rescue skills to enable them to respond effectively in emergencies.
Source: Youtube
JKUAT students found dead in Kiambu
In another story, police launched an investigation following the deaths of two university students in Juja, Kiambu county.
The bodies of the two students were found in a dam after a suspected drowning incident on Sunday, March 2.
The incident occurred during a fun day out at a popular “park and chill” spot off Thika Road in the Mugutha area.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
