Tragedy as two drown in dam in Trans Nzoia

Two villages in Trans Nzoia are mourning the death of two men whose bodies police are still trying to retrieve from Limuli Dam in Kiminini Sub-County.

One of the men took his own life by jumping into the dam that is situated 5km away from his home while the second man died while trying to retrieve the body of the first man.

Confirming the incident, County commander Ms Lillian Okembo said Abdulla Maruti walked from his father’s home in Kibagenge Village to Limuli Dam near Meru Farm where he committed suicide by diving into the dam.

Following the suicide, Mr Walter Sasaka spotted the body floating on the stagnant water and jumped into the dam to retrieve it, before he drowned.

According to Mr Sasaka’s family, he had been advised not to attempt retrieving the body but defied the advice and went ahead to dive into the dam.

Ms Okembo said a team of police officers was sent to the dam to help retrieve the two bodies, adding that they are yet to establish the motive of Mr Maruti’s suicide.

Police were able to retrieve Maruti’s body, however, Sasaka’s body is yet to be found.

The incident comes barely a month after two students from Amagroro Primary School drowned while swimming in the same dam.

The duo, both in class eight, was going home with seven other students when they decided to swim before proceeding.

One of the students who was with the duo said 16-year-old Jesse Simiyu was overwhelmed and started calling for help when Brian Simiyu volunteered to help.

Unfortunately, they were both overwhelmed by water and drowned.

Local divers retrieved their bodies after 12hours and police moved them to the mortuary.

Human rights activist Boniface Wanyoike urged the county government to fence off the dam and other dams in the area claiming they pose a risk to residents.