[Garissa OCPD Aron Moriasi in his office, he has confirmed the incident adding that the police are investigating the matter. (Photo/File) ]The family of a 10-year-old boy who drowned at one of the pods at the newly constructed Garissa sewerage project now wants the government to compensate them.
According to the area residents Roble Hassan Gure, who was herding the family animals, the boy slipped into the pod while trying to quench his thirst after allegedly being chased away by a private irrigation farmer where he had gone to look for drinking water.
The uncle to the deceased, Sadiq Abdullahi, said someone must take responsibility for the loss and have absolved themselves from any blame.
Rashid Aden said that the area has no water despite falling under the jurisdiction of the Garissa water and sewerage company where they are supposed to be provided with piped water.
“For several years now we have received even a drop of water from the water company. They are supposed at bare minimum to at least construct water kiosks to manned by women and youth groups as is the case of similar settlements,” Aden said.
“The deceased being a young boy and unaware of the dangers he was subjecting himself to sneaked into the pod to quench his thirst. This is because of we lack safe drinking water,” he added.
Aden, who is also the community’s elder said the sewerage area’s barbed wire fence should be replaced by a perimeter wall to avoid being cut.
On his part Northern Water Service Board CEO Abdikadir Noor Osman while regretting the incident absolved the company from any blame saying they had done all within their powers to safeguard the pod including hiring 8 watchmen who operate day and night.
Osman said the boy trying to swim because his cloths were discovered next to the pod by residents.
“We are leaving this to the police to carry out their investigations,” he added.
Garissa OCPD Aron Moriasi confirmed the incident adding that the police are investigating the matter.
The boy was buried on Monday in accordance with Islamic burial rites.