Body of 11-year-old girl who drowned in Tala Dam in Kangundo sub-county on Sunday was recovered on Tuesday evening shortly after 4pm after a 3-day search.
The standard 4 pupil from Katwaanyaa Primary School in Tala, Kangundo Machakos County was reported to have drowned on Sunday in deep Tala Dam after which Police officers launched a search to retrieve the body with the help of the area residents, an exercise that came to a sad but successful end on Tuesday.
Speaking after the completion of the exercise in Tala, the area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Alex Peter Kimatu thanked the residents for stepping in to help in the long search exercise.
Kimatu also cautioned the area residents to warn their children against playing near the Dam.
“It is devastating to watch our children die in situations which could have been avoided. I urge parents to warn their children strictly against coming near this Dam. I thank the residents and the police for the 3-day- search exercise. it is a show of unity and may God bless you,” said Kimatu.
Present during the exercise was also Tala Chief Pius Nzioka who confirmed the incident.
“The child who drowned was in the company of four others whom had come from Children Sunday School and rushed to the Dam while their parents were at church service.
This is a third case since December last year and we urge the government to put a fence around such facilities to avoid the frequent accidents.” said Chief Nzioka.
The body was taken to Kangundo Hospital Mortuary by officers from Tala Police Post.