County on the spot as 14 drown in abandoned quarries in a year
Wycliff Kipsang @wsang08
Uasin Gishu County Government is on the spot over abandoned quarries and water collection points in the region, which have led to more than 14 people drowning in the past one year.
Worst hit is Soy Ward, where parents who spoke to People Daily expressed fear for safety of their children.
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Ms Ladona Kiprop, a resident, called on the county government to fence off pits dug by contractors and left unfilled to avert more disasters, especially with the heavy rains pounding the region.
“We are appealing to the county to help us fence the pits. They pose a serious danger, especially to our children.
So long as the quarries remain open, more disasters will happen,” said Ms Kiprop.
In March last year, two sisters drowned at Rotuga in Uasin Gishu County.
The two aged 17 and 10 are said to have slid into the water pan left by contractors working on a nearby road.
In June, a rescue mission turned tragic after two pupils drowned in a dam at Tugen Estate in Moiben Constituency.
A spot check by People Daily revealed that contractors have abandoned many dams after extracting murram and other building materials.
“After digging out murram from the borrow pits that have turned into dams, the contractors just left it open.
We are uncertain of our children’s safety,” said Sammy Cheboi, whose son drowned in one of the abandoned quarries.
The matter has now found its way into the county Assembly, with Ward Reps tasking Governor Jackson Mandago’s through Water, Environment, Natural Resources, Tourism and Wildlife Management department to asses all water bodies and ensure fencing of abandoned quarries.
“We are tired of losing innocent people through carelessly abandoned quarries.
People should not see money at the expense of the safety of the people,” said Soy MCA Nicholas Tallam, who moved the motion in the House on Tuesday.
Kimumu ward MCA Sarah Malel seconded the motion, saying such unfenced water collection points possess great danger to locals.
Deputy Speaker Hosea Korir, while presiding the session, called on the county government urgently act implement resolution of the House so as to avert more deaths.
