Three drown after canoe capsizes in river in Kisumu

At least three people drowned in a river after a canoe they were using capsized in Holo area, Kisumu Count.

Police said the incident happened on Saturday February 15 as a group was using a canoe to cross the Mugruk River.

Police officers established that four people were crossing the river using a canoe and on reaching the middle of the river, strong winds were experienced and the canoe capsized.

The deceased were identified as Dolphine Adhiambo Omondi, 34, Nicholas Ochieng Miruka, 37 and Elidah Awino Otieno, 29.

One woman survived after she managed to swim to the shores of the river.

The bodies of the deceased were retrieved and moved to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

Cases of drowning have been on the rise in rivers in the region. Police say they receive up to two cases weekly, which is alarming.

Meanwhile, two people died by suicide in separate cases reported to police.

The first incident was reported in Makongeni area, Thija, Kiambu County.

The incident involved a nine-year-old boy whose body was found hanging in a wardrobe in his parents’ bedroom.

The motive of the incident is yet to be established, police said.

The body was moved to General Kago Funeral home awaiting postmortem.

In Shauri Moyo, Nairobi, one Silvya Aoko Ekeya, 47 died after she swallowed poison.

The deceased is said to have quarreled with her children before she retreated to her bedroom and swallowed pesticide.

And after the incident, she sought help and was rushed to the hospital where she died on arrival.

The body was moved to Chiromo mortuary pending postmortem.

Cases of suicide have been on the rise amid calls on authorities to take action to address the trend.