13-year-old boy killed after house collapsed following heavy rains in Kitui

A 13-year-old boy from Musuani area of Kyome Thaana ward in Mwingi West, Kitui County, has lost his life following ongoing rains that poured hard in the area overnight.

Josphat Mwangangi, the father of the deceased - Francis Kimaku Mwangangi – said the heavy rain started pouring at around 10pm, and the house finally caved in at 1am.

He said his lastborn son was sleeping with three other children (his grandchildren), who however escaped without injuries.

“I heard the children screaming from their bedroom saying the house had collapsed. I rushed hurriedly, rescued three but my lastborn son was still trapped in the rubble," he said.

Mr. Mwangangi said when he got a hold of his son, he was bleeding from the nose and ears, his left side of the chest and neck were swollen, and he complained of severe stomach pain.

“After I washed his mud face, he called me and told me his stomach was so painful, when I touched it, it was producing a weird sound,” he added.

Mr. Mwangangi further said that he called for help from his neighbours to take his son to the hospital, but before they came as the rain was still pouring, the boy passed on in his arms.

“He told me he was in deep pain, held on me tightly and his eyes became white before he threw a few kicks in the air,” he further narrated.

Miriam Peter, the boy's aunt, said the deceased was very social and bright in school.

“He had just sat for his KPSEA exams and was under sponsorship following his bright nature. We had so much hope in him,” she added.

Mr. Mwangangi has now called on both the national and county governments to intervene and help him with burial expenses as well as help him build a permanent home since the one that caved in was mud-walled.

The boy’s body has since been moved to the Migwani hospital mortuary.