Two students from Sibuoche Mixed Secondary School drowned in the river Migori on Friday September 30, 2022, after leaving their institution to head home.
The two were in the company of their two other colleagues from the same institution when the tragic incident happened.
On-lookers said the students had passed by the Church of God of Prophecy at Juakali shades within Migori town to talk to the church leadership.
Reverend Joshua Kangie, the pastor in charge of the church, said students always pass by the church before leaving for their homes.
“While they were waiting for church officials the four decided to take a swim in nearby river Migori when the unfortunate incident happened, we are still in shock,” Kangie said.
Onlookers said the students were enjoying the swim in the river when one of them started drowning after drifting into a deeper end of the river.
His colleague rushed to rescue him and they both drowned.
“The other two rushed to call jua kali artisans and a group washing cars nearby who arrived, but it was so late,” Jane Akinyi, a local trader, said.
The search commenced immediately and one body was retrieved while the other one had not yet been found by the time of going to the press.
Residents said the incident was unfortunate and called on Migori county government’s fire department to employ divers to help in the search and retrieval of the body.
“We have managed to retrive the body after volunteers and members of Kenya Red Cross came in to help, we challenge the county fire department to help us next time with divers,” Albert Opiyo, a diver, said.
