Residents retrieve body of man who drowned while crossing river Thiba

Residents of Gakungu village in Thiba, Mwea-west sub-county in Kirinyaga have spent the last three days searching for the body of John Warui who drowned on Sunday around 11am.

The body was eventually discovered some four kilometers downstream – after being washed away by the raging waters of the river.

Warui’s mother – mama Margaret Wairimu – said her son was coming home to see her when he was swept away.

“The death of my son has devastated the family,” said a tearful Wairimu.

Residents of Thiba and Tebere wards want the government to speed up the construction of the Gakungu bridge to help avert catastrophe.

The body has been taken to Kerugoya hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.