A family in Bakisa village in Mihuu ward in Webuye East sub county has urged the Bungoma County government, the leadership of Webuye East and the national government to help them retrieve the body of their 42-year-old son, Benjamin Simiyu, who drowned in River Nzoia two months ago. Addressing the media at their home led by the mother of the deceased Jane Nanjala Simiyu, they said they were hurt by the death of their son who had come back home from Nairobi where he was working. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he never went back to the city and one day early in the morning, two months ago he intended to cross over to Kakamega County in search of casual labour but he slipped and fell in River Nzoia while crossing over a footbridge.
He couldn’t swim and up to date, his body hasn’t been found. Jane said they’ve searched in most of the mortuaries in the region anytime they got wind of an unidentified body but it has all been in vain. She added that they tried to engage the Kenya Red Cross but were told they had to pay Kshs 6,000 per day plus food and transport costs, a toll they couldn’t handle since they are not financially endowed. Alice Simiyu, the deceased’s wife said she and her children have been disturbed by the demise and that the kids could be mentally strained further if the body is not retrieved. She also asked well wishers, political leaders and the government to help her to support her kids’ education noting that their father was the breadwinner and his death has left a big gap in the family.
Her sentiments were supported by her brother-in-law Nakitare Simiyu ho said the family hasn’t come to terms with his brother’s death, adding that his body should be found so that he is given a befitting send off. Moreover, the villagers led by Bernard Sikongoi called on the County governments of Bungoma and Kakamega to partner and construct a proper bridge as opposed to the one made of timber and straps.