Fresh questions have emerged over the drowning of four siblings in an abandoned quarry at Kanyakwar area in Kisumu Central Sub-County after authorities revealed that first responders reported seeing foam coming from the children’s mouths.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo said the observation, made by among others the area chief who was among the first people to arrive at the scene, had prompted investigators to widen the scope of inquiry into Sunday evening’s tragedy.
“We have unconfirmed reports from those who arrived first at the scene, including the area chief, that foam was coming from the children’s mouths. If that is true, then one can suspect something else. So, the matter is under investigation because if a person drowns, you cannot have foam coming out of their mouth,” he said.
“At this stage, however, we cannot conclude anything. Investigations are ongoing and once complete, police will give a comprehensive report,” the administrator added.
The development comes amid conflicting accounts about what the boys were doing at the water-filled quarry.
Leparmorijo said police were also investigating claims that the children may not have been swimming as earlier reported, but had instead gone to fetch water.
“We initially received reports that the children had gone swimming. However, some of the family members we have talked to indicate that they had gone to fetch water. Jerrycans were also found at the scene,” he said.
The four boys aged 15, 12, 10 and 8 were pupils at the nearby Kudho Primary School. Addressing the media in his office on Monday evening, Leparmorijo cautioned against speculation until forensic and post-mortem findings are released.
The quarry where the incident occurred, he said, was excavated about 25 years ago by a construction company identified as SBI during road works in the area.
Although it was initially fenced off after operations ceased, the barrier was later vandalised, leaving the water-filled pit exposed.
“Up to now you can see the remains of the cedar posts that were used for fencing,” the commissioner said, noting that the site was never rehabilitated after quarrying activities ended.
He described the deaths as tragic and painful, saying they represent not only a loss to the bereaved family but also to the county and the country.
The incident, he said, has now sparked renewed scrutiny around quarrying and abandoned mining sites across Kisumu County.
“I have walked around the Kanyakwar area, and we have several other pits which are equally dangerous and require urgent action so that we avert loss of lives,” he said.
He added that through collaboration with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), measures have been put in place to rein in unscrupulous miners whose activities are posing danger to members of the public.
In a statement to the media, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o termed the deaths a calamity beyond words and said the existence of open, unsafe quarries within residential areas was unacceptable.
“This is a tragedy that could and should have been prevented,” the governor said, conveying condolences to the bereaved family.
With immediate effect, Prof. Nyong’o suspended all quarrying activities in the county, including murram and sand harvesting, pending a compliance review.
He directed that only operators with valid legal approvals and enforceable safety standards would be considered for resumption, and that no quarry would operate without a clearly approved, time-bound land rehabilitation and restoration plan.
The governor further directed the County Department of Environment, in collaboration with NEMA and the Office of the County Commissioner, to constitute a joint task force to audit all existing quarries and take legal action against those operating without licence.
By Chris Mahandara
