Nakuru: A village in Turi ward within Molo sub-county has been plunged into mourning following the untimely death of two young women.

The two, aged 26 and 10 years, were reportedly crossing Chawa River back to their home in Keriko village after attending a feast when they slipped from a makeshift bridge.

A local who witnessed the incident told that he raised an alarm, mobilised locals and immediately launched a search, but the bodies could not be recovered due to the heavy downpours the area had witnessed earlier in the day.

The bodies were recovered on Sunday, May 25, at their neighbouring Boror village in Rongai sub-county.

According to Boror location chief Stephen Nderitu, the two bodies were found over a kilometre apart.

“The river overflowed at Elburgon, due to the heavy rains, while our lower part had no rains, and which is why the water carried them such a distance downstream,” Nderitu said.

He said they have already contacted administrators in the village where the deceased comes from so that their families can be informed of the recovery of their bodies.

Locals accused the government of a slow response to the incident.

They also expressed concerns over their safety and that of their children, who use the makeshift bridge to cross while going to school daily.

“This bridge is now a threat to all of us, especially the learners who cross it to access a school on the other side of the village,” said Jane Lelgo, a resident.

Most of the locals have been using the bridge, but the latest tragic incident has left them in shock.

Mosop ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Dr. Alex Langat said the river overflowed, causing the bridge to be submerged. The bridge connects Mosop and Turi wards.

The MCA said the bodies were carried over five kilometres downstream by the raging waters.

“These two slipped into the river near Elburgon where we had made a bridge connecting our wards, and it appears there was too much water there, thus causing the unfortunate incident,” Langat said.

Police officers have since retrieved the bodies and moved them to Elburgon Sub County Hospital, mortuary due to proximity to their home.

TUKO.co.ke previously reported that there was a public outcry after a photo of pupils in Bomet county crossing a river using a dangerous makeshift bridge went viral.

The pupils who had uniforms were pictured crossing the bridge with the help of an adult.

Some of the Kenyans online however hit out at the county and national leaders in the areas as they called for immediate intervention to address the situation.

Source: TUKO.co.ke