Lawyer Willis Otieno has raised serious concerns over regulatory failures following the tragic drowning of four children in a quarry at Kanyakwar in Kisumu County.

Taking to his official X account on Monday, March 9, 2026, Otieno questioned how a dangerous open quarry could exist within or near residential homes, describing the incident as a devastating example of institutional negligence.

“The drowning of four children in a quarry at Kanyakwar in Kisumu County is a devastating indictment of institutional negligence. Serious questions must now be directed at the Kisumu County Government. How does a dangerous open quarry exist within or directly beside residential homes? Who authorised excavation activities in a settled community where children live and play? What safety measures were put in place, if any?” he said.

The Safina deputy party leader also questioned who authorised the excavation activities and whether the site had been properly inspected by relevant authorities.

Otieno also criticised the silence of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), noting that quarrying activities in Kenya are heavily regulated and require environmental licensing.

He asked whether the site had been granted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licence and, if so, how basic safety requirements were overlooked.

“Equally troubling is the silence of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Quarrying is a heavily regulated activity that requires environmental licensing and strict compliance oversight. How was quarrying permitted so close to people’s homes? Did NEMA issue an Environmental Impact Assessment licence for this site, and if so, how were basic safety safeguards ignored?” he posed.

Otieno fingers KeRRA

The lawyer further raised questions about the role of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) in the matter.

According to Otieno, reports indicate that marram extracted from the quarry may have been used to construct a road leading to the residence of an influential political figure in the nearby Riat Hills area.

If confirmed, he said the claims would raise serious concerns about whether regulatory bodies ignored safety risks while excavation continued in a residential community.

“Further questions must be directed to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA). Why was marram being excavated from a quarry located within a residential area? Reports indicate that the material was being used to construct a road leading to the home of an influential politician in Riat Hills. If true, this raises deeply disturbing concerns about whether regulatory agencies looked the other way while a dangerous quarry was dug in a community simply to serve the convenience of political privilege,” Otieno stated.

Call for probe

Otieno insisted that the deaths of the four children should trigger a thorough investigation into the approvals, supervision, and beneficiaries of the quarry operations.

He called for accountability from all relevant authorities and agencies involved in regulating excavation activities.

“Four children are now dead. Their deaths demand more than condolences and empty statements. They demand answers,” he said.

Otieno’s statement follows the tragic discovery of four siblings found dead on Sunday, February 10, 2026, at an abandoned quarry pond in Kanyakwar, Kisumu Central Sub-County.

Governor Nyong’o’s action

Following the incident, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o directed the County Department of Environment to immediately initiate a comprehensive audit of all quarries in the county following the deaths of four children in an abandoned quarry pond.

The governor asked the department to work jointly with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Office of the County Commissioner.

Nyong’o said the multi-agency exercise would inspect quarry sites across Kisumu and ensure strict enforcement of safety and environmental regulations.

The Governor also announced an immediate suspension of all quarrying activities within the county, including murram extraction and sand harvesting, pending compliance with safety requirements and environmental standards.