Residents of Kithogondo village in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, are appealing for help in retrieving the body of a man swept away while swimming in the swollen River Thiba on Wednesday afternoon.
Locals led by Elisha Wairimu said the man dived into the river but he was swept by the raging waters.
“I watched him helplessly as he was drowning, even those who were fishing nearby could do nothing as he was swept downstream,” Wairimu said.
Another resident Eric Bundi said they tried to locate him in vain as they could not swim in the water.
“Police from Wang’uru police station were here but they could not do much; we are going home now as it is about 7 pm and we will be here tomorrow. The strong water tides and the river’s depth could not allow us as villagers to enter into the river unless we get help,” Bundi said on Wednesday night.