A family in Uasin Gishu is seeking government help to retrieve the body of their kin who drowned in Moiben River, 11 days ago.

The family of Nicholas Kipleting, 24, a final year student at Maseno University who reportedly slipped and drowned in the river while bathing with his elder brother Bensolus Kiprono on December 26, say he is still trapped in the mud of the swollen river.

“We had gone to our farm on the fateful day to help a casual worker  cultivate the tomato crops since he was new and was not familiar with the area. After working, we decided to take a bath at the river,” said Kiprono.

He said he saw his brother step into the river after removing his clothes but as he started to bath, he slipped and was swept by the fast moving waters.

Equipment need

Kiprono says  57 divers from Moi’s Bridge and Soy areas hired by his family were yet to retrieve the body as they do not have the required equipment.

“We have never had a peace of mind since our brother drowned. It has been a traumatising experience and we only pray to God that his body is found soon so that we can give him a decent burial,” said  Kiprono.

He said  six divers drawn from Cheploch gorge in Baringo County hired by the county to help in the retrieval exercise abandoned the exercise and left the scene under unclear circumstances a week ago.

“We are now urging the National government to come in and help us retrieve our kin’s body as the divers we are hiring lack proper equipment,” he said.