BY JOE MODIE
The 20 people who perished when a bus plunged into the swollen River Enziu, in Kitui County, would probably would have been alive today, had authorities erected proper barriers on the river crossing, seeing as this is not the first time lives are being lost at exactly the same spot.
In March 2018, four people died when a lorry carrying charcoal was swept away by the flooded River Enziu.
At the time, Mwingi East Police Chief Paul Munene said four of the truck’s eight occupants were rescued before the truck was engulfed with water.
A month later, a driver attached to the Nuu Assistant County Commissioner narrowly escaped death after he attempted to cross the swollen river.
A total of 23 choir members drowned when the school bus they were driving in was swept away by the raging river. Photo/Mwanahabari.co.ke
He was rescued by wananchi, but the vehicle got stuck in the raging waters.
Authorities in Kitui County should he held squarely responsibly for the death of the 20 people who were looking forward to joining friends and relatives on the joyous occasion of a wedding.
Following the heavy rains that have pounded the area in the last few days, authorities knew that the area would be a black spot but chose to do nothing.
Had the necessary renovations been instituted after the 2018 deaths, those who died today would have gone safely back to their loved ones.
In 2003, Yatta MP James Mutiso, his driver and another passenger, lost their lives as they attempted to cross a swollen River Mbakoni, in Machakos County.