Grief has engulfed a family in Kitengela, Kajiado County, after their five-year-old daughter died after falling into an open manhole.
Confirming the incident, Kajiado East Sub-County Administrator Bruce Likama said the girl met her death while playing with her friends in the Kyang’ombe village on Thursday, June 27 evening.
The death has sparked outrage among residents who are blaming the owner of the building for failing to maintain the manhole facility.
According to the locals, the manhole had been left uncovered for an extended period, leading to the untimely demise of the young child.
“The owner of the plot should have ensured his plot is well maintained. The child would be alive had the concerned persons taken precaution and sealed the manhole,” a resident told Citizen Digital.
The resident further criticized county officials, stating that they are responsible for inspecting buildings to ensure they meet safety standards.
The child’s body has been transported to the Shalom Hospital mortuary.
Likama said that officers have launched a drive to inspect buildings in the area to ensure adherence to safety regulations.
“We will be looking at things such as roofing, water pipes, waste on the road, failure to seal pipes and so on and take action against those flouting rules,” he stated.
