Tragedy Strikes: 8 Perish Crossing River After Rachel Ruto’s Event

Tragedy Strikes: 8 Perish Crossing River After Rachel Ruto’s Event

On their way home from attending the 14th Anniversary of the Joyful Women Organisation (JOYWO) hosted by First Lady Rachel Ruto at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Thursday, eight individuals drowned in an inundated river and perished. 

On their journey from Kavuthu to Mutyambua, eight individuals were swept away while attempting to traverse a swollen River Muooni. Makueni County Red Cross officials confirmed the deaths of those individuals.

The occurrence transpired at 11:00 pm yesterday, as reported by a local correspondent who spoke with PoliticalPulseChat. 

“Yes, the guests were from the event organized by the First Lady. It is so sad to report that some of the deceased were relatives,” the correspondent stated. 

According to eyewitness accounts, the eight individuals were not aboard the bus during the accident because the driver declined to transport them across the erosive river. The eight individuals allegedly traversed the river holding hands despite continual warnings that their lives were in danger. 

In addition to confirming that the incident transpired along Kavuthu-Mutyambua Road, area chief Norman Musyoki issued a warning that the fatality toll could increase. 

“Witnesses say seven people died. We are 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 as they tried to cross. 

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“A sudden swelling of the river swept them away as a crowd of witnesses looked on helplessly,” Musyoki told local media stations, adding that they had warned residents against crossing the river, one of the most dangerous, during the El Nino season. 

At the accident site, emergency services personnel were dispatched without delay to initiate the body retrieval operation; thus far, only two bodies have been extracted from the flooded river.

As of yet, it is unknown how many occupants comprised the vehicle, including both survivors and those who had perished. 

According to Makueni vernacular stations, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. expressed condolences to the victims. Additionally, he mentioned that the fatalities transpired approximately two weeks after the drowning of three individuals in the river. 

In the interim, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto established JOYWO in 2009 to economically empower women using financial inclusion and skill enhancement, enabling them to fulfill their fundamental necessities.

Thousands of the organization’s members in attendance paid tribute to President William Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi as distinguished guests at the event on Thursday. 

Tragedy Strikes: 8 Perish Crossing River After Rachel Ruto’s Event