Residents in Ndiwo Village, Bar Kanyango, Bondo Sub County, Siaya County are living in fear, following a grim unfolding of horror.
A situation that has plunged the little known village into an array of challenges ranging from psychological trauma, confusion and fear, following a harrowing discovery or more unidentified bodies in River Yala as its raging waters flows to Lake Victoria.
For the last 27 days, the terror stricken villagers have been treated to unspeakable sights of unidentified dead bodies of different sizes, ages, nature and state of decomposition with some painting a traumatic picture of how some of the corpses may have met their death.
Earlier, 27 days ago on Friday 2nd of June, James Okonyi, a 21 year old left his home to bring back their herd of cows from across River Yala but as he was crossing over on his way back using a small boat at around 7pm, the raging waters swept him over. He drawned.
“My son, left to fetch the herd of cows but little did we know it was his last. He was swept away by the waters, his boat capsizing and with no help, he drowned.” Monica Atieno, the mother of the deceased, lamented.
“His sudden death, however sad, has exposed us to more horror as we have to see many other bodies flowing by to our horror.” Observed the father of the deceased, Joaness Okinyo Mganda.
Despite the treacherous frantic rescue operations, 27 days have yielding more painful experience that what may have been expected.
“It is painfull to us as a family that we have to see very bad state of bodies flowing freely downstream with some, decomposed beyond recognition, some tied with ropes on hands and legs as some arrive in sacks. Just two days ago, a body of a woman passed right here on its way downstream.” Said Francis Balozi, kin to the deceased.
“In our Luo culture, we are not supposed to point or talk about a dead body spotted on water unless we are related and on its rescure mission but given our situation where we are also desperately searching for our drawned kin, we are torn between our culture and the true essence of our presence here,” added Francis Balozi.
Despite calls, no help has come. Instead, the Siaya county’s disaster management responded to their call of distress through a phonecall saying the matter was an just an incident and not a disaster.
“I received a call from the county government having sent an appeal through our ward admin who has never been here but the report I got is that ours is not a disaster but an incident!” Francis Balozi paused, “I wonder what report was relaid and what constitutes a disaster.” He added.
The said unidentified bodies, according to the villagers, is not news to them as the frequency of appearance of flowing bodies continues with the most latest body retrieval being of two male unidentified persons who were later taken to Bondo sub county mortuary.
Later, one body was identified and released to its family said to have come from Gem sub county.
“The latest bodies I helped retreaved were of two unidentified men. When seen, I volunteered to remove them from water but later, one body was said to have come from Gem. It was alleged that he had committed suicide and was released for burial,” Said Elijah Ouma Rajema, a local diver.
“I can’t however state from where these bodies flow from or tell their total numbers given their state of decomposition. Also, both dogs and fish feed on them and almost weekly.” He added.
As the situation escalates, the family has continued to camp along River Yala at the point their kin was witnessed drowning and they say most of their basic needs including food and non-food items have reduced, leaving them no choice but to depend on well-wishers.
The family, united in hopes of according their kin a decent send-off, now wants the county government of Siaya to construct a bridge over the river to avert further risks in future.
“In December last year, a bridge built by Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga collapsed leading to loss of life and when our leaders came over to witness, we were promised a new bridge in two weeks.” Said Joaness Okinyo Mganda, “If James Orengo, our governor had kept his promise, we wouldn’t be camping here over the death of my son.” He added.
Their resilience, one that is not deeming any time soon as they pledge to continue camping at the same sight in line with Luo customs and continue searching until their kin is found but one matter seems to be lingering in their minds, though with no answers: What is the identities of these bodies? Where are they coming from? What is causing the deaths? Why the so obvious silence about them?
Until when are the answers likely to be unraveled?
