A police
officer drowned as he tried to cross a wooden bridge on a swollen river in
Kapsiliot village, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Constable
Justine Kirui’s body was found floating on Moiben River hours after he had
drowned on April 22.
It is
believed he was attempting to cross a wooden bridge on the river when he
slipped into the river and drowned.
The
river is swollen due to ongoing rains in the area.
Locals who sighted the body managed to retrieve it before identifying him.
Police said
he was attached to the Miwani police station.
It is
believed that Kirui, 48, was off duty at the time of the incident and was
headed home after visiting a relative in the area.
He
drowned headfirst, injuring his nose and head.
Police
said blood was oozing from his nose at the time the body was recovered from the
water. There are rocks below the bridge where he landed.
The body
was moved to a local mortuary pending autopsy and other procedures.
Police said they are investigating the incident.
Police said cases of drowning have been on the
rise in the past weeks due to heavy rains being experienced in several parts of
the country.
Officials
have urged the public to exercise caution when near rivers and flooded areas in an effort to avoid such calamities.
The Kenya
Meteorological Department has predicted that showers will continue in most parts of the
country.
This has
prompted some agencies to mobilise resources to attend to the prone areas.
In Nairobi, at least six people were killed following heavy rains that were experienced on Monday, April 21.
The rains left many homeless in parts of
Mathare and Mukuru slums.
The displaced people have appealed for help to settle down as they camp at various places for shelter.
