- A Moi University student was swept away in the River Kesses waterfall, prompting a days-long manhunt
- Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Kesses Sub County OCPD Aggrey Magomele raised concerns that the body could be trapped in the rocks
- Students camped out at the scene, questioning the university’s response time as authorities struggled to recover the body
Eldoret: Moi University is once again in mourning following the suspected tragedy that a student died in a waterfall near the Kesses campus.
Source: UGC
The male student, identified only by the name he uses on TikTok Douglas Ayienda, is said to have visited the part of River Kesses connected to the waterfall on Sunday, March 29, with a girlfriend.
He reportedly entered the flooded river in an attempt to swim before being swept away by strong currents towards the falls, where he disappeared.
His body had not been found at the time of going to press.
Efforts to obtain the official identity of the student from the management of Moi University were unsuccessful.
How did a Moi University student drown in a waterfall?
Confirming the incident, Kesses Sub County OCPD Aggrey Magomele said that divers and rescuers from the Uasin Gishu County Government have been sent to assist in the search.
“The information we have is that he was swept away by the water at the waterfall on Sunday. We arranged for divers from the county who joined the search team on Monday. Because of the darkness, the mission was not completed, so we suspended the operation until today (Tuesday),” Magomele told TUKO.co.ke.
The police chief expressed hope that the body could be found soon, noting that bodies in water usually start floating after about three days.
“We expect that this morning (Tuesday), if it is the third day, we can find a body,” he said.
However, concerns remain that the body may be trapped between rocks in the waterfall.
“If he had been washed away by the river, the recovery would have been easier because there are few stones. We believe the body could be stuck in a place where the water falls under great pressure,” Magomele explained.
Source: Facebook
How did Moi University students react to the incident?
On Monday, some Moi University students gathered at the scene as rescue efforts continued, while others accused the university administration of being slow to react.
“These people (university management) are not serious. Since Sunday, our colleague drowned here and no one helped him. There was no immediate help. A cow that fell into the water was rescued alive the same day. If help had come quickly, we would have found the boy alive,” said a visibly agitated female student.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Kiplagat Kotut, visited the scene on Monday evening together with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Academic and Student Affairs Department, Professor Khaemba Ongeti, the chief security officer, and many student leaders.
“They did not respond immediately. The VC and his team came here on Monday around 6 pm. I don’t even understand why we elected student leaders if they are not helping us,” the student added, vowing to stay awake until the body is recovered.
TUKO.co.ke It has been revealed that some students spent Monday night by the river, lighting a bonfire and singing while holding a vigil according to their traditions.
A local diver who addressed the students said he had previously recovered several bodies from the river and the waterfall, and asked the students to be calm.
He explained that, according to local beliefs, shouting and wailing before the dead body is found is a matter of despair, as it is thought to make the rescue more difficult as if it is a sign of the body not being seen.
Source: UGC
The incident comes just five days after another tragedy involving a Moi University student.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
