Girl, 12, drowns in river Kipsonoi while swimming with friends

A 12-year-old girl on Saturday drowned while taking a swim in the swollen waters of Kipsonoi river in Bomet County.

Chemagel location chief Lenny Kirui has confirmed the incident which occurred around 4:00pm.

“One little girl drowned, while three others were rescued by herders who heard their distress call from a distance,” said Kirui.

Chief Kirui noted that the three rescued girls were rushed to Sotik Health Centre where they were treated and discharged.

“Initial reports indicate that the girls had gone to the river to wash their school uniforms in readiness for the reopening of schools next week, when they decided to take a swim in the river, ending in tragedy” added the chief.

Locals have been combing the waters in search of the body of the girl – but their efforts have unfortunately been hampered by the high volume of river-water. The body had not yet been found as of Sunday, January 5, midday.