Three bodies belonging to men in their early 30's were on Saturday retrieved from River Athi at Nthangathini village, Katani location, Athi River town.
The men were identified by their relatives as Muthama Muongoi, Patrick Maina and Laban Theuri, all who were employees of a local cement company in Athi River and residents of Jam city slum in the same town.
Addressing press at the scene shortly after the bodies had been retrieved, Mungoi Mbula, father of one of the decease persons, said the three were swept away by waters of a seasonal stream connecting Mlolongo to River Athi on Tuesday evening while on their way home from work.
"The three were swept away by the seasonal stream waters connecting Mlolongo and River Athi on Tuesday evening after a heavy down poor," said Mbula.
Mbula said the deceased's were among five people who were crossing Evergreen bridge located few kilometers from Evergreen Crop Limited which was flooded by the storm waters when the incident happened.
He said two people managed to escape from being swept away by the waters while the three succumbed after they were overwhelmed by the waters.
The bodies were retrieved by two local volunteer divers after a three day search with assistance of officers from Mavoko Sub County fire brigade.
Mavoko Deputy Fire Brigade Chief, David Masila, said residents reported the matter to them after they had seen one of the bodies floating on the waters on Saturday morning prompting a thorough search.
Masila said the first body was retrieved at 12.45 pm while two others several hours later, at around 6.30 pm attributing the long search to challenges posted by high water levels in the river.
The bodies were handed over to officers from Athi River Police Station who moved them to Machakos Level Five Hospital awaiting postmortem.
Masila urged the residents to be more careful while crossing the bridge during the rainy season so as to avoid more deaths.