Survivors of the wedding ceremony that turned tragic at Fort Jesus village in Ruiru, Kiambu County yesterday recounted how they escaped death narrowly in the incident that left six dead.
The six were among eleven others who had gone to pick up the bride when they drowned in an underground water tank that collapsed on Saturday last week.
Witnesses said more than 20 people who were dancing inside the rental homestead and celebrating the bride’s big day fell into the water storage tank.
Among the dead were five women and a child who slid inside the reservoir after the slab caved in the 11 am incident that left relatives and villagers in grief and shock.
Rebbeca Macharia, one of those rescued from the well, yesterday recalled being dragged into the well by someone holding her for support after the concrete slab caved in.
“I am a close friend of the woman who had invited us to go and pick the bride. We started the journey in the morning, and all was well until we started celebrating the bride. The unfortunate thing happened when we were singing and dancing. Even before the bride got out of the house, the underground tank we were singing over sank and we all found ourselves inside,” Macharia from Kiahiti village in Gatundu North told People Daily.
Water reservoir
While inside, Macharia revealed that she got to know that she was landing on a child whom she took by her hands before fighting to get out of the deep-water reservoir.
“I held the child with my own hands, and I fought my way out. I was able to save the child and myself,” added Macharia.
Another survivor, Leah Wangeci, told journalists that after the underground tank caved in, those who fell in did everything they could to save themselves from drowning.
“I managed to grab a piece of wire, but as others tried to grab anything in sight, I was dragged down as people struggled to pull themselves out. Other people held me on the legs as well and this got me back to the water but I later managed to get out,” noted Wangeci.
Despite the tragedy, the wedding ceremony between Charles Mworia and Susan Wanjira continued at Wonders Touch Ministries International church and later a reception held at Ruiru Boys High School grounds.
Survivors and witnesses narrated how the bride who was ready and set for the big day escaped death by a whisker as she had to go back to the house when the celebrants sank in the 15-foot-deep tank.
Caught unprepared, those who fell began fighting for their lives causing a stampede inside even as well-wishers began rescue efforts including draining the half-filled tank.
One of the survivors Duncan Mwaura who was the wedding event’s master of ceremony recounted how a moment of joy unexpectedly turned into pain and grief.
“It was by God’s grace that I came out alive. I struggled and managed to get out of the reservoir with the help of those who had come to our rescue,” said Mwaura, who sustained injuries on his hands and legs.
Originally wearing a suit with a theme colour of the wedding, the MC explained that he managed to get out of the tank after ropes were thrown in by the rescuers, which he used to climb out.
Drenched and dirty, Mwaura had to look for alternative clothing to continue with day activities of coordinating the wedding.
Simon Njoroge who had travelled from Mataara village in Gatundu North to aid in the process of picking the bride regretted that the incident inflicted fear leaving them with numerous questions why the incident occurred on a celebratory day.
“We were waiting for the women who customarily celebrate the bride to finish their affair only to hear screams and later got to know that those accompanying us had drowned. We are saddened but the wedding had to continue,” said Njoroge.
Joshua Kinyua, the man in charge of capturing the events on camera, lost his equipment and phone inside the tank.
Kinyua, however, thanked God that despite the loss of his expensive camera, he managed to come out of the ordeal unscathed.
Undergoing treatment
According to rescuers, two people died on the spot while the others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment in various hospitals.
A team of fire fighters from the Ruiru fire station rushed to rescue the group that had been trapped in the underground water tank.
Those who were rescued were rushed to various hospitals in Ruiru among them Plains View Hospital, Ruiru Level 4 and Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital.
County police commander Perminus Kioi revealed that investigations have commenced to ascertain how the incident happened and assured that anyone found to have caused the incident either by poor construction works or otherwise will face prosecution.
Kiambu Woman Rep Ann Wamuratha who later attended the wedding reception termed the incident as tragic and unfortunate, but told organizers and the couple not to harbour any feelings of guilt.
“It is sad that we have lost lives but we thank God because it could have been worse. As for the wedding couple, they should move on and build their marriage and should not entertain any iota of guilt since they are not to blame for the tragedy,” the MP said.
Wamuratha also called on builders in the county to strictly follow the stipulated guidelines to avert further tragedies emanating from poor construction works.
She also promised to mobilise the county leadership to assist the bereaved families in burial arrangements and also clear hospital bills for the injured.
“I am also appealing to owners of buildings to do due diligence and inspect their premises to avoid a repeat of the Fort Jesus catastrophe,” said Wamuratha.
The incident that nearly paralysed the wedding ceremony sent shock waves and disbelief among residents.
