Search Ends After Man Swept Away by Kirinyaga Floods

Residents of Kiuria village in Mwea West are mourning the death of a 65-year-old man who was swept away by the raging waters of River Kanaro.

Jackson Gitari met his end on Wednesday while attempting to fetch water from the river, which had burst its banks following a period of sustained rainfall in the region.

The incident occurred near a rice farm, a common feature in the landscape of Thiba Ward, where the local economy relies heavily on irrigation and the proximity of water bodies.

Witnesses reported that the force of the water was too immense for the elderly man to withstand, leading to a desperate search that lasted several hours.

The residents organized themselves into search parties, combing the riverbanks as the water levels remained dangerously high.

His body was eventually recovered more than four kilometres downstream at a location identified as Unit 14.

The recovery brings a somber end to a search that involved dozens of villagers who had hoped to find Gitari alive, despite the treacherous conditions of the river.

The flooding has not only claimed a life but has also displaced several families in the area, as water from the river moved into residential zones and farmland.

Nguka Location, where the drowning occurred, is currently grappling with the aftermath of these floods, which have damaged local infrastructure and threatened livelihoods.

Access to clean water remains a challenge during such weather events, often forcing residents to approach dangerous riverbanks to meet their daily needs.

Local authorities have previously warned residents to stay away from swollen rivers, particularly in areas like Mwea, where the terrain allows for rapid water accumulation.

The loss of Jackson Gitari highlights the persistent danger posed by seasonal flooding in Kirinyaga County, where drainage systems are often overwhelmed by heavy discharge.

As the body was moved to a local morgue, the community called for better safety measures near river access points used by rice farmers and villagers.

The displacement of residents in the surrounding area has prompted calls for emergency intervention to provide shelter and basic supplies for those whose homes are no longer habitable.

Construction of more resilient water collection points and better flood barriers remains a topic of concern for the residents of Thiba Ward.

For now, the focus remains on the burial arrangements for Gitari and the immediate needs of the displaced families in Mwea West.