Tragedy struck Nyangiela, Homa Bay County, on March 17, 2026, when a 14-year-old boy drowned in River Awach.
Police and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Rachuonyo South Sub-County responded to reports of a body floating in the river at God Ogada, Nyangonye Village, Konuonga Location.
The body was retrieved and identified as Silfance Onyango, a Grade Seven pupil at Ondiko Primary School.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the boy had left home intending to swim in the river but unfortunately drowned.
The body was taken to Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital mortuary for preservation pending a postmortem examination. Investigations into the circumstances of the drowning are ongoing.
Drowning is emerging among the leading cause of deaths in the country, officials said.
And with the heavy rains being experienced, officials say more cases could be reported.
Elsewhere, police in Embu North Sub-County launched investigations following the death of a 59-year-old man whose body was found near Kibugu Market.
The deceased, identified as Nicasio Njagi Njeru, a resident of Nguvia village, was discovered unresponsive on the morning of March 17, 2026, near the Kibugu slaughterhouse, about two kilometres west of Kibugu Police Station.
The incident was reported at around 8:30 a.m. by his stepbrother, Abiud Njagi Njeru, who said he had received information about the discovery earlier that morning.
Officers from Kibugu Police Station, accompanied by scenes of crime personnel, visited and processed the scene. Preliminary observations indicated that the deceased had blood stains around the mouth and visible bruises on the elbow.
The body was moved to Embu Level Five Hospital mortuary for preservation, pending a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Embu North have taken over the case, with investigations ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
