It is now emerging that eight people have died after a lorry they were travelling in on Friday afternoon was swept away by floods in Sultan Hamud, Makueni County.

Locals on Saturday retrieved more bodies from River Kwa Muswii where the victims drowned.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili confirmed that 14 people had so far been rescued and rushed to Sultan Hamud subcounty Hospital.

Eight others who were found lifeless had their bodies transferred to the hospital’s mortuary.

She noted that rescue operations have now been expanded to other rivers feeding into River Kwa Muswii in search efforts for about 10 victims who are still missing.

The Deputy Governor urged locals to keep watch downstream for any bodies that could have been washed away.

County and Kenya Red Cross are yet to establish the exact number of people who boarded the lorry ferrying sand attempting to cross the swollen river along the Kasikeu-Sultan Hamud road.

Apparently, the ill-fated lorry was ferrying sand among other construction materials Kasikeu Township when it was overpowered by the raging waters amid heavy rains.

Locals claimed the driver requested more people to board the lorry in efforts to make the load heavier so as to manouver through the water easily.

However according to videos shared online, the lorry lost balance and plunged into the water.

Several people managed to swim their way out of the swollen river while others struggled.

Kenya Red Cross was among first responders to the scene where they rescued seven people. By 7pm Friday, four more people had been rescued, bring the total number of survivors to 11.

Government says over 70 people have so far died as a result of floods, with thousands displaced. This comes as schools re-open for the second term.

Kenya Meteorological Department advised Kenyans to take precautions ahead of heavy rainfall in the coming days.