A family in Muhoroni, Kisumu County, is mourning the death of their daughter who drowned in River Nyando a day after sitting her Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examination.
What should have been a day filled with joy and new beginnings turned into a nightmare when Sarah Kemunto, 12, ventured into the raging waters to try out her swimming skills.
Her mother, Constance Kemunto, said that her daughter was in high spirits on Friday when she told her that she wanted to visit her aunt who lived nearby.
“I had no reservations when she told me that she wanted to play with her cousins after completing her house chores,” said the shaken mother after her daughter’s body was retrieved.
On the fateful day, the aunt, Risper Mirioba, recalled how her niece had lunch with her two cousins before they left unexpectedly without cleaning the utensils after the meal.
“I didn’t think much of it until 30 minutes later when my two daughters returned home accompanied by three strangers, without Sarah,” she said.
Risper and some neighbours rushed to the river, as their worst fears began sinking.
Sarah’s cousin, Lavender Gesare, said that she had pleaded with them to go for swimming with her.
“We cautioned her, but she promised that we wouldn’t stay for a long time,” Lavender recalled their final conversation.
Once at the river, Sarah dived into the water first and resurfaced quickly, handing her prayer rosary to her cousin out of fear it might be swept away. But her second dive proved tragic as she disappeared beneath the water without a trace.
For three agonising days, Sarah’s family camped along the riverbank, holding onto hope for a miracle.
But that hope was shattered yesterday at 3pm when her lifeless body was found three kilometres downstream, dashing the dreams the young girl held for herself and for her family.
One teacher, Dan Ageyo, described her as a bright, hardworking and industrious girl who brought joy.
“She used to be jovial in class and was friendly to both the teachers and her classmates,” he remembered.
Her class teacher, Mr Philip Onyango, said he last interacted her during a farewell party organised for the learners who would be joining junior high school in January 2025 after completing their exams last Wednesday.
The deceased’s father, Daniel Maeba, expressed frustration with the Kisumu County authorities for allegedly abandoning them during the three-day search for his last-born daughter. He said the family entirely relied on community volunteers.
“I am grateful for the moral and financial support from the community and the tireless efforts of the seven volunteers who worked day and night to retrieve her body,” he said.
Sarah’s body was taken to Our Lady of Mercy Funeral Home in Muhoroni. The family is appealing to well-wishers to help them give their daughter a proper send off.
