EIGHT people returning from First Lady event feared dead after vehicle plunges into flooded river
At least eight people feared dead in Makueni County after their vehicle plunged into the flooded Muoni River
At least eight people feared dead in Makueni County after their vehicle plunged into the flooded Muoni River.
The group of 8 people is said to have attempted to cross the Muoni River in Makueni County when they were carried away.
According to reports, the eight were part of a larger group returning home after a meeting with First Lady Rachel Ruto in Kasarani, Nairobi on Thursday for the JOYWO event.
The Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) an initiative that First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto founded in 2009, aims to empower women economically through financial inclusion and skills development to meet their basic needs.
President William Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi were among the notable guests at the Thursday event, which was attended by thousands of the organization’s members.
Several people have been unable to cross the river owing to heavy rains.
Officials say the group could have perished in the floods even as they trace their whereabouts.
Kenya Red Cross Makueni County coordinator Evans Peter said they have deployed its rescue team to follow on the matter.
The incident occurred at 11.00 pm last night, according to sources in the area.
“Yes, the guests were from the event organized by the First Lady. It is so sad to report that some of the deceased were relatives,” the correspondent stated.
Area chief Norman Musyoki also confirmed that the incident occurred along Kavuthu-Mutyambua Road and warned that the death toll may rise.
“Witnesses say seven people died. We are trying to ascertain the exact number. They were sitting on a log floating in the middle of the river after being overwhelmed by the raging waters as they tried to cross.
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“A sudden swelling of the river swept them away as a crowd of witnesses looked on helplessly,” Musyoki told local media stations, adding that they had warned residents against crossing the river, one of the most dangerous, during the El Nino season.
According to the Ministry of Interior, at least 70 Kenyans have been killed by the floods.
Kenya Met Department earlier in the week said several parts of the country will continue to experience heavy rains until Saturday.
Dr David Gikungu, the head of the meteorological department, said isolated storms will also be experienced.
“Rainfall is expected to continue over most parts of the country,” Dr Gikungu said in the forecast.
“Isolated storms are likely to occur in some parts of the highlands east and west of the Rift Valley, the south-eastern lowlands, the Coast, and Northeastern Kenya,” he said.
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