Likuyani man suffocates in 53-foot borehole

Jan 18, 2024 - 14:39

Msalaba Yellow residents and security officers at the homestead of Francis Esing’ole, where a middle aged man died, yesterday, inside a borehole he was tasked to deepen at Soy Sub location in Likuyani Sub-county.

Lugari,

Thursday January 18, 2024,

KNA, by Melechezedeck Ejakait/Britney Imeleny

A middle-aged man died, Wednesday, inside a borehole he was tasked to sink at Msalaba Yellow village, in Soy Sub-location in Likuyani Sub-county.

The 36-year-old victim only identified as Ekesa, allegedly died after he ran out of oxygen, while descending the 53-foot borehole.

The owner of the borehole, Francis Esing’ole, said he had contracted the deceased and his friend who are well known for their work in the area, to increase the depth of his borehole, when the unfortunate incident happened.

Esing’ole said the duo was recommended to him by a local plumber he had sought advice from, regarding the insufficient water in the borehole.

He recounted: “The plumber advised me that the water level is low and the borehole’s depth needs an extension. He identified the two men whom he said he works with.

“When they came on Tuesday to check the borehole, the deceased attempted to enter but he came out claiming the oxygen inside was insufficient. They opened the borehole wide open and left it for the night.

“They came back on Wednesday ready for the job but my plea to the deceased to tie a rope around his waist before going down the borehole for rescue -aware of the impending danger was in vain.

“As he descended I went to check on my cows only to come back and find his friend pleading with him to come out if oxygen is insufficient. However, there was no communication. We tried rescuing him without success.”

Christopher Gitonga, a Kenya Red Cross volunteer from Likuyani, regretted the incident, appealing to members of the public to be cautious and avoid risking their lives in search of money.

“Before you enter into a borehole you have been warned about, take precautions. You shouldn’t risk your life. The deceased ignored the caution and went ahead to risk his life,” Gitonga stated.

Likuyani Division Assistant County Commissioner, Noeline Juma, termed the incident unfortunate.

She cautioned members of the public against engaging in risky ventures, regardless of the pay.

She said the body was taken to Kipkaren Mortuary awaiting a postmortem.

Courtesy; KNA