Family in Agony as Search for 5-Year-Old Drowning Victim in Kamasia Village, Nandi County, Enters Sixth Day
“We are pleading with authorities to prioritize this case and provide us with the necessary support. The family deserves closure, and the community is growing increasingly anxious as time passes,” Arusei added.
Crime Scene / Image Provided Courtesy
A family and the residents of Kamasia Sosiot Village in Kabiyet, Nandi County, are in deep anguish after the tragic drowning of five-year-old Brian Kipruto in the Kipkaren River last Wednesday. Despite continuous efforts, attempts to recover the body of the young boy have been unsuccessful, leaving the family in despair and the local community frustrated by the lack of adequate resources to assist in the search.
Joseph Arusei, a neighbor to the grieving family, spoke to Hubzmedia, sharing the collective frustration of the villagers who have been tirelessly working to retrieve the body. “We have been camping here by the river since Wednesday. We’ve managed to assemble a team of local swimmers with support from the county government of Nandi, but the team is poorly equipped, and our efforts have yielded nothing so far,” Arusei said, his voice heavy with disappointment.
Arusei added that the lack of proper equipment had severely hindered their ability to make progress in the search, despite their determination. “The local team has done all it can, but we are working with very basic tools. We’re appealing to the national government and disaster response teams to intervene and help us recover the body of young Brian.”
According to reports, Brian fell into the river while leading the family’s cattle to drink water. His disappearance has left the family devastated, particularly as the boy had been preparing to join Grade One next year at Kapsato Primary School, marking an important milestone in his young life.
“This is a heart-wrenching moment for the family. Brian was such a bright and lively child, and the family was looking forward to seeing him start his schooling next year,” said Arusei, reflecting the sadness felt by many in the close-knit community. “We are asking for help not just for the sake of the family but for the entire village that has been waiting and hoping for some closure.”
Efforts to recover Brian’s body have been ongoing since the incident occurred, with local authorities and community volunteers working around the clock. However, the treacherous conditions of the river and the lack of advanced search and rescue equipment have made the recovery process extremely challenging.
County officials have acknowledged the limitations they face and expressed their condolences to the family, pledging to continue their efforts to assist. “This is a tragic event, and we understand the pain the family is going through. We are doing everything within our capacity, but we also recognize the need for better equipment and more experienced disaster response teams,” said a representative from the Nandi County government.
Residents of Kamasia Sosiot Village have echoed the call for national government intervention, citing the urgent need for specialized diving teams and better resources to assist in the search. “We are pleading with authorities to prioritize this case and provide us with the necessary support. The family deserves closure, and the community is growing increasingly anxious as time passes,” Arusei added.
As the days stretch on without success, the village remains united in their resolve to find Brian’s body, with many people offering their time and resources to support the search efforts. For now, the community continues to hope that more help will arrive soon, allowing them to bring the tragedy to a close and offer the family the peace they so desperately need.
The incident has raised broader concerns about water safety in the region, especially for children who often frequent rivers and other water sources as part of their daily routines. Local leaders are urging parents and guardians to be extra cautious and to ensure that young children are supervised when near bodies of water, to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
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