An innocent adventure turned tragic on Saturday night in Icang’i village, Kirinyaga County.
An 8-year-old boy drowned in a swamp while hunting ducks and their eggs.
The young boy, a grade 3 pupil, had set out on the fateful mission with three friends, but he was the only one who did not make it back.
The swamp, which has slowly expanded over time, now occupies two acres of what was once the playing ground of Icang’i Primary School.
According to residents, the swamp’s growth worsened significantly after heavy rains earlier this year.
On that ill-fated evening, the four boys were spotted by a man cutting grass for his livestock.
The boys, armed with fishing nets and ropes, were using stones to chase ducks that had evaded them into the water.
The boys ventured into the water, but only three managed to escape as their friend tragically drowned.
One of the surviving boys explained that they had hit a duck with a stone, causing it to fall into the water.
Determined to retrieve the duck and its eggs, they ventured deeper into the swamp, unaware of the danger lurking beneath the surface.
The boys, who had travelled from Gathoge, had been on similar adventures before, but this time, the outcome was devastating.
As word of the tragedy spread, residents rushed to the scene, but retrieving the boy’s body proved to be a difficult and heartbreaking task.
The body was eventually found over 60 meters from the swamp, thanks to the intervention of a police officer from the Piai police post.
The boy’s remains were taken to Kibugi Funeral Home as Mwea-East Police Commander Patrick Nyaanga confirmed that an investigation has been launched.
TResidents are now pleading with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to address the swamp that has claimed a young life.
