Body of Ugandan man who drowned in River Sagana found

The body of Alex Mande, who drowned on Thursday, May 18, was found floating inside Kengen dam, some 10 kilometres away from where he drowned.

Young Mande who hailed from Bungoma in Uganda, drowned while trying to swim for the first time in the raging waters of River Sagana, in Kirinyaga county.

“The young man was out with his friend when he drowned,” said Joseph Mbirua, a resident of the area.

“His friend tried to help him from the waters but was unable. It was at this point that he raised alarm,” said Mbirua.

Villagers who arrived at the scene tried to search for the body in vain.

“Residents have been holding vigil on the river bank, combing the waters in search of the body until today when we received reports that his body had been discovered,” he said.

According to the residents, Mande was employed in one of the homesteads as a farmhand.

The family of the deceased is said to have arrived on Saturday from Uganda to help with the search – with local divers involved in the search.

Locals say that the search was agonizingly difficult given the raging waters of River Sagan.

Police from Kambirirwa police station worked closely with the locals and dam officials to retrieve the body.

“The people of Rukanga stood with us during this difficult time. I would like to thank them and everyone who came to help us,” said Andrew Masiga, one of the family members.

“We are making arrangements to take the body to Bungoma in Uganda,” he said. 

The body was taken to Murang'a hospital mortuary.