Five missing children feared drowned

Five children are feared dead in River Yala, Siaya County after a canoe they were using to cross the water mass capsized. A local, aged 34, who attempted to rescue the children is also missing.

Richard Ochieng, 13, Walter Otieno, 13, Paskal Omulo, 13, Dadi Nyangwena, seven, and two others went missing after being swept away by the river on Tuesday evening.

The families of the missing boys are camping at bridge separating Alego Seje and Yimbo areas that is about half a kilometre from their homes.

James Ogare, the father to Ochieng said it he was pained by the incident, adding that he hoped the body of his son would be found.

Over 300 locals were last evening making efforts to retrieve the bodies, of the victims.

The five were crossing the river while herding from grazing fields, about a half kilometre away from their homes.

North Yimbo Location Chief, Vicklice Rabut, said the missing boys routinely took the herd of cattle across the river in Alego to graze. After it stopped raining, they decided to cross the river he explained.

Rabut said on the way back, their canoe was swept by the river that was flowing at high speed following heavy downpour. He noted that the animals managed to cross to the opposite side.

The chief appealed to the Government and well-wishers to help the families retrieve the bodies.

He said if the bodies are not found soon, they may be moved to Lake Victoria, making it difficult to find them.

“In case they are not retrieved soon the bodies would also get to under the reeds which may then make it very difficult remove them,” said Rabut.

Wednesday 20 December 2012

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