Mother, 1-year-old son drown while attempting to cross swollen Lokesem river in Marigat

A mother and her young child who were previously reported missing drowned in the Lokesem river in Marigat, reports say.

The two are said to have died after they were swept away by heavy floods while crossing the huge stretch of river Lokesem on the road connecting Marigat to Loruk.

The two were not aware at the time that the water levels had gone up.

Area chief Titus Katikit confirmed the incident saying the woman and her child were on their way home from a wedding.

Bodies of the two were sighted by children who were fetching water.  The 1-year-old boy was still tied to his mother’s back.

Police arrived at the scene on Tuesday evening. The bodies were retrieved thereaftter and taken to the Baringo County Refferal Hospital Mortuary.

The ongoing heavy rains in Tugen hills region remain a threat to the residents living on the lower side of the county.