Police are investigating two separate drowning incidents that were reported on Sunday in Nandi and Kericho Counties.
In the first incident, a two-year-old boy died after drowning in a borehole while playing with other children in Nandi County.
The incident was reported on Sunday. Police said the child had left his guardian’s home in Mogoget Village to visit a nearby homestead where his friends were playing close to a borehole.
Police said it is believed the toddler accidentally fell into the borehole while playing with the other children. An alarm was raised by the children, prompting a good Samaritan to pull the boy from the water in an attempt to save his life.
However, he had already succumbed before rescue efforts could succeed.
The child’s body was later moved to White Crescent Mortuary in Kapsabet, where it awaits a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.
Elsewhere, a 41-year-old man was found dead inside a 45-foot borehole at his home in Bureti Sub-county, Kericho County, in what police believe was a tragic accident.
The incident was reported on Sunday at about 4:20 p.m. after members of the public spotted a body inside a water borehole in Kaptalationy Village, Kelelwa Sub-location, Tulwet Location.
Police officers responded to the scene and confirmed the report. With the assistance of local residents, the body was retrieved from the borehole using ropes.
Preliminary investigations established that Kiprono had taken his supper on Saturday evening at around 6 p.m. before retiring to bed. Investigators believe he later woke up during the night to fetch water from the borehole, as he routinely did for his personal use.
Police noted that the borehole had only been temporarily covered with wooden timber off-cuts, raising the possibility that he accidentally fell into it.
Further inquiries revealed that the deceased lived alone after his wife reportedly left following domestic disputes. His father who was present when the body was recovered, informed investigators that Kiprono had been living with a mental health condition.
Police said the body bore no visible external injuries. It was moved to Kapkatet Sub-County Hospital Mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.
