Machakos: KCSE candidate drowns while swimming near his school

As thousands of KCSE candidates across the country continue with their examinations which began last week, a family in Machakos County has been plunged into mourning after their son tragically drowned while swimming in a dam near his school.

Seventeen-year-old Abel Mwendwa, a candidate at Katelembo Centre of Excellence, was returning home when the incident occurred.

“Nilikuwa wa kwanza kufika kuangalia kijana…nikapata hana nguo kitambo kamba ifike kijana alikuwa amezama,” Alexander Mwanzia, who witnessed the incident, said.

On Sunday, angry parents stormed the school to demand answers from the management.

“Nilijaribu kuuliza mwalimu kile ilifanyika hakunipa majibu,” Baritta Mwikali, a parent, said.

Police in Machakos are investigating claims  that Abel was sent home to collect school fees, a claim denied by the school principal.

Meanwhile, in Nairobi’s Lucky Summer area, another family is in distress after their son, Seth Reuben Okoth, a Form Four candidate at Our Lady of Fatima in Kariobangi, went missing a week ago.

Sarah Akinyi, his sister said: “The last time we saw Seth he was a sitter here having a meeting with his friends.”

The family, alongside the school community, is now appealing to anyone with information about Seth's whereabouts to come forward.