Top KCPE performer drowns, another dead as camping turns tragic

A search and rescue mission continues in earnest in Suna West, Migori County where a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2016 male candidate drowned in a river.

He was attending the Western Kenya Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Youth Camporee at Lichota, when he was swept away by raging River Migori waters Thursday, December 8 evening.

The candidate, identified Erick Juma, who hails from Muhoroni in Kisumu County, was in the company of four other youth when he drowned.

Juma was among the 5,190 students out of the 942,021 candidates who scored 400 marks and above in KCPE 2016. He had garnered 418 marks out of the possible 500.

Confirming the incident, Suna West Sub County Deputy County Commissioner, Yusuh Huka, said the security team, in collaboration with the locals, tried to retrieve the body Thursday evening to no success.

He said they have since sought the Kenya Red Cross’ intervention as the search continues Friday.

Huka said they will summon organizers of the camping trip to explain why there is no proper security measures put in place at the event adding that they are deliberating on closing down the camp.

This comes as another boy, Gideon Masika, died Thursday night following an asthma attack.

His death has been linked to the swampy condition of the area.

Yusuh Huka said the body of the deceased was removed to Akidiva Hospital mortuary.

The ongoing camping trip is being attended by over 2,000 SDA church youth from the western Kenya region.