[Boy dies at Garissa sewerage plant. The boy is said to have been quenching his thirst when disaster struck.] (Photo/iol.co.za)An elder in Garissa County has claimed that the 10-year-old boy who drowned while allegedly trying to swim died because he was trying to quench his thirst.
Elder Rashid Aden said the boy drowned while trying to fetch drinking water at one of the ponds at the newly constructed Garissa sewerage project.
Aden said the Garissa water and sewerage company had failed to provide the area residents with clean piped water which forced the boy to try getting clean water from the pond.
He further said that the sewerage area’s barbed wire fence should be replaced by a perimeter wall to avoid being cut.
“For several years now we have not received even a drop of water from the water company. They are supposed to provide us with a bare minimum to at least construct water kiosks manned by women and youth groups as is the case with similar settlements,”
“The deceased being a young boy and unaware of the dangers he was subjecting himself to sneaked into the pond to quench his thirst. This is because we lack safe drinking water,” he said as quoted by KNA.
The Northern Water Service Board, CEO Abdikadir Noor Osman while regretting the incident absolved the company from any blame.
Mr Osman said they had put up measures to ensure the pond is well secured including hiring eight watchmen who operate day and night.
Mr Osman further said the boy was trying to swim because his cloths were discovered next to the pool by the residents.
“We had done all within our powers to safeguard the pool. We are leaving this to the police to carry out their investigations,” he said.