Angry residents of Kithangani location in Igambang’ombe sub county, Tharaka-Nithi County are demanding a road contractor to fence a deep excavation which has collected water turning into a death trap.
Yesterday, the body of an elderly man who went missing on Monday was found floating on the open water triggering protests by the locals accusing Westbuild General Contractor Limited of failing to cover or fence the quarry that was dug three years ago by the contractor who was harvesting murram.
Mr Nelson Murithi, a resident said the excavation is next to a road and a playground posing a great threat to children who like swimming in the dangerous pool that is almost 20 feet deep.
“Unless this pit is covered or fenced, we will continue to lose lives of both human beings and livestock,” said Mr Murithi.
MYSTERY DEATH
The victim, Mr Rwiga Mbare, 70-years-old is said to have left his home on Monday to visit his sister in a neighbouring village but never came back.
His wife is reported to have been looking for him in the neighbouring villages without success.
“We can’t tell if he accidentally fell in the water and drowned or he was killed and the body thrown inside,” said Ms Ciangai.
Police officers from Chuka Police Station took the body to Chuka County Referral Hospital mortuary.
Meru South Police Commander Joseph Kavoo said police had launched investigations into the incident.
Efforts to get comment from Westbuild General Contractor Limited were futile after they left the site and could not be reached on phone.
Residents of Nyakini village in the neighbouring Maara Sub-County, also want Intex Construction Company to cover a similar pit that was left unattended after murram harvesting.
