By Daniel Otieno, Kakamega
The body of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust) student who drowned last Sunday while on a swimming expedition has been retrieved from River Isiukhu.
Simeon Ogendi Ogoti, who was pursuing a combination of Geography and Kiswahili, had joined four of his peers for a leisure outing to River Isiukhu, a popular spot near Nyayo Tea Zone.
Unknown to them, the calm waters hid dangers that would lead to a devastating turn of events.
Eyewitnesses report that, despite not knowing how to swim, Simeon decided to take the plunge into the river, a decision that would ultimately cost him his life.
“It was his first attempt at swimming, a decision that would prove fatal.,” said Benson Ogoti, his father. “I received the heartbreaking news on Sunday night at around 10 PM,”
Efforts to recover Simeon began immediately, with local divers and community members tirelessly searching the waters.
After three harrowing days, his lifeless body was finally retrieved from the river. The search, led by Nyayo Tea Zone residents, has been widely praised for its community spirit, but it has left a trail of sorrow as many points fingers on the University management for failing to join in the search operation.
“Four students came here to swim,” explained one of the local divers, “but one of them, who didn’t know how to swim, jumped into the water and got overwhelmed,”.
Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t save him in time,” said a witness. Simeon, a comrade from Kisii county will be laid to rest in their home over the weekend.
