Man swept away while trying to cross flooded river

In this file picture a woman wades through water after River Sondu Miriu burst its banks at Osodo Village in Rachuonyo North Sub-County in Homa Bay County.

Photo credit: Barack Oduor | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • The 73-year-old was caught up in a heavy downpour on Saturday while on his way to a funeral in a neighbouring village. 
  • The raging floods also swept away three heads of cattle from the village and destroyed crops in nearby farms. 

An elderly man lost his life after being swept away by floods as he attempted to cross River Nyadiel in Homa Bay County in a heavy downpour.

Charles Owiti, 73, who hails from Muche Village in Kalanya-Kanyango Sub-location, was caught up in the rains on Saturday while on his way to a funeral in a neighbouring village.

Assistant Chief Andrew Okatch said Owiti left his home in the morning to go to Nyajanja Village in Kochia location. 

Villagers only recovered his body after searching the flooded river for several hours. 

The body was taken to the County Referral Hospital mortuary after relatives were informed about the incident. 

The raging floods also swept away three heads of cattle from the village and destroyed crops in nearby farms. 

The administrator asked residents to move to safer location to avoid further loss of lives and destruction to property.