Seven swept by water in Makueni after meeting First Lady in Nairobi

At least seven people have been swept away by floods after the Muoni river of the Mutyambua area of Makueni got swept away.

The seven were coming from Kasarani, Nairobi after meeting with the First Lady Mama Rachael Ruto.

According to witnesses, the seven ignored warnings that the river was swollen from the ongoing El Nino rains.

Confirming the incident, Kavuthu Chief Norman Musyoki said the victims were sitting on floating water after they were overwhelmed by the water trying to cross.

“Witnesses say seven people died and we are still trying to ascertain the exact number. They were sitting on a log floating in the middle of the river after being overwhelmed by the raging waters while trying to cross. A sudden swelling of the river swept them away as a crowd of witnesses looked on helplessly.” Musyoki said.

Many people who had traveled from Nairobi to the area were frozen by the incident.

Rescue teams from the Kenya Red Cross and Makueni County have set out on a rescue operation mission.

As of noon, only three bodies of the victims had been swept.

During the rainy season, the Muoni River is normally dangerous.

This comes three weeks after two people died after drowning in the same river.

Residents of the area have lamented that the bridge in the area should have been constructed to avoid continuing to lose lives.

Elsewhere in Tharaka Nithi County, several counties have been forced to leave their homes for safer grounds in neighboring schools for safety.