Six dead in Marsabit, Tigania as rains wreck havoc

Three children were among six people who died in Marsabit and Meru Counties as a results of floods caused by heavy rains currently pounding many parts of the country.

In Marsabit, a couple died after they were swept away by floods in Olom area in North-Horr, Marsabit County. Their bodies were retrieved at the Chalbi desert, a few kilometres away. Two bodies of school children believed to have drowned were also retrieved.

In Tigania East, Meru County, the body of unidentified man was recovered on the banks of River Thanantu near Wa Kiambati, Mulika. A child was also reported to have drowned.

According to Barille Boru, a Marsabit resident, neighbours had a difficult time trying to rescue the couple from the raging floods.

“There were other eight people who were also swept away but the other six survived miraculously,” said Boru.

Guyo Sharamo, another survivor narrated how he fainted amid the floods only to wake up hours later to find himself naked on high ground.

“My few goats and sheep were all swept away,” lamented Kurfa Ali, another victim.

Floods have rendered over 400 families in the Olom village homeless and also cut off any access to the area making it hard for rescue teams.

Solomo Gubo, the deputy governor, Marsabit is now appealing to other stakeholders especially in the health sector to come to the aid of the people of Olom.