MULATHANKARI, Meru — Police in Meru County and the Fire and Rescue have recovered the body of a 10-year-old child who drowned in the Kathita River.
The rescue team was called to help Police after a report that the boy — a Mulathankari village resident— had fallen into the river, according to acting Chief Agnes Gakii.
Gakii said she found the boy’s body around 3:00 p.m. with clothes on. It wasn’t clear what led up to the child being in the river, but Gakii said that it appeared that he was crossing the river in the company of other children who reported the incident.
“It cannot be claimed that they were swimming because he drowned with his clothes on. I urge parents to take care of their children because leaving a child under the age of ten alone away from home is dangerous,” Gakii said.
“Parents should always be aware of where their children are. My condolences to the bereaved family for the loss of someone who could have become an important figure in the country,” Gakii said.
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According to a resident, another high school student drowned in the river this year. He said that the incident marked the second major loss in the community, following the death of the 10-year-old child.
“We have always warned children and high school students not to swim in the Kathita River. I urge parents to be responsible and watch out for their children. When we warn children not to swim in the river, we do not hate them,” said the resident.
“It is also unethical for teachers to allow their students to swim in the river. Today marks the second major loss in the community, following the death of a child. I will notify the police if I come across a child swimming in the river,” said the resident.
Another resident said that an elephant drowned in the river and was never found. He said that parents should warn their children about the dangers that a 50-foot-tall waterfall in the Kathita river poses.
The body of the 10-year-old boy was taken to Meru Level 5 mortuary.
