The death toll in the floods in parts of Tana River County in Kenya has risen to five after three days of heavy rains. Yesterday morning at Bilbil on the Bura-Garissa highway, a seasonal river flowing into Tana River swept away two children who were swimming in a canal in the Bura Irrigation Scheme.
The children, aged between eight and 12 years, were said to have drowned when the canal burst its banks.
A witness only identified as Bonaya said the boys were swept away as they played in the canal in Bilbil area. Tana North OCPD Tom Okoth and the Kenya Red Cross Society manager in charge of Tana and Kitui counties, Jareld Bombe, confirmed the deaths. Mr Okoth said a team of police officers had been stationed at the cut-off area to assess the situation and protect lives and property.
