A 45-year-old man has lost his life after drowning in River Ituma in the Matungulu sub-county of Machakos county.
The man and his friend heading to Malaa market had attempted to cross the swollen river caused by heavy rains that have been pounding the region for a month now.
According to an eyewitness Charles, the man who survived had managed to hold on to a tree branch which prevented him from being swept away.
However, in anguish, he watched as his friend was tossed and turned by the raging waters to his death.
“The man who died works in Malaa, he was heading from Misuuni to Malaa at the time of the incident. He and his friend tried to cross the river but he was swept away, we were able to rescue his friend,” he said.
By the time of reporting the locals had retrieved the body and were waiting for the police to arrive at the scene to arrive.
Locals have since been warned against crossing swollen rivers during this rainy season to avert accidents.
