River Subukia is a messenger of death.
And with the current heavy rains, the message is all too strong. Something must be done to avert a catastrophe.
The river passes through Subukia Township. Unscrupulous businessmen have grabbed its banks and put up premises literally hanging on top of the river. The buildings are barely three metres from the river, and their back doors are no longer in use.
Next to the famous Starline Hotel, there is a building which hangs dangerously close, and even the front door has been permanently closed. The residents have lost count of the number of deaths attributed to this river.
The bridge in town has no rail guards, no signs to warn people of its existence. It is not news when a drunkard staggers his way into the furious water and death. The situation is made worse by dumping of garbage and raw sewage into the river.
The pollution level is alarming, considering the fact that the river is the only source of water to the arid Mbogoini Division of Subukia Sub-county.
What is even more alarming is the casual way the local administration takes this issue. County officials claim that there are more priority areas to attend to and refused to comment on the matter or get quoted in the press.
Subukia town is involved in a deadly dance with death.
The county government should act with speed before more sad news are made from this river