Two people hired to clean a borehole died in Uasin Gishu county, bringing to six the number of people who have died in similar circumstances since the beginning of the year. 

The latest incident happened at Kermetio village. 

Hillary Kipng’etich Cheruiyot, 28, died while trying to save Ariel Lumilio, 18, a Form IV student at Racecourse Secondary School. The two were friends. 

Kabongo assistant chief Wilson Kosgey and Kermetio village elder Paul Biwot confirmed the incident. 

According to Uasin Gishu Chief Fire Officer David Sitati, cases of people dying due to suffocation while trying to clean boreholes have increased in the past three months. 

The authorities have continued to discourage residents who are not trained from taking up cleaning boreholes. 

The Uasin Gishu County government fire brigade retrieved the two bodies which were later taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Mortuary by the Kiambaa police officers. 

Just last month, a man died while cleaning a borehole at a home in Ilula, a few kilometres from Eldoret City. 

“It’s dangerous to enter any borehole especially when temperatures are high. We urge homeowners and people with boreholes to be cautious and not to hire anyone to clean the boreholes when temperatures are hot,” Sitati advised. 

Sitati said his team had a difficult time at the scene trying to calm the angry residents who accused the homeowner of the incident and wanted to punish him and at the same time work to retrieve the body. 

He further urged residents to ensure their boreholes are properly covered and protected. 

Last week, a 23-year-old man drowned at River Soy, also in Uasin Gishu County. 

Elias Musto Tobila from West Pokot County had visited his aunt before meeting his death at the river where he had gone to take a bath. 

Sitati called on residents to desist from using the river to bathe or fetch water for domestic use as it has become very slippery and swollen following the heavy rains pounding the region.