A class seven pupil from Ang’orom Primary School died when he tried to swim in an abandoned open quarry.
Felix Oburu, 18-year-old from Teso South Constituency in Busia County, went swimming in a nearby quarry together with his colleagues before he drowned.
The deceased's colleague said they tried to save him but unfortunately he had drowned at the deep end of the quarry.
“I tried to save him but it was hard because the place he drowned was very deep,” said one of the boys who had accompanied the deceased to the said quarry, as quoted by the Standard.
The body was later retrieved from the quarry after a long search by residents. The quarry was said to have been left open by the contractor who was working on Busia-Malaba road.
Residents led by area Member of County Assembly James Ong’ole have urged the contractor to fill-up the quarry.
“The quarry poses a great danger not only to people but livestock as well. To avoid tragic incidents, the contractor should either fence it or fill it with soil,” said Ong’ole.
Chief Officer in the office of governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Ezekiel Okwach, echoed the MCA's sentiments adding that all the quarries in the area should be worked on.
“There is a need for the many quarries in Angorom ward to be closed to prevent such deaths,” said Okwach.