Kirinyaga: 62-Year-Old Woman Drowns While Crossing Swollen River

• Sofia Marigu was returning home from Ngurubani town of Kirinyaga county when she met her death
• The 62-year-old was crossing a makeshift bridge on River Thiba which had been submerged following the heavy downpour in the wider area
• This came days after the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of floods in various parts of the country as the heavy torrents pound

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

A family is mourning its matriarch who drowned on Wednesday, April 18.

Sixty-two-year-old Sofia Marigu was returning home in Gakungu village when she drowned in River Thiba.

Marigu was coming from Ngurubani town to sell her farm produce when she met her death.

"She had gone round the main road, but due to heavy rains, she strived to cross the Gakungu bridge, but the water forces overpowered her, and he slipped into the river," her son Lewis Kimanji told NTV.

The Kenya Red Cross recently put Kenyans in 44 counties on notice over the likelihood of floods due to the anticipated heavy rains.

In its advisory on Saturday, April 13, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) projected heavy rains above 40mm in 44 counties.

What was Kenya Red Cross's caution to Kenyans?

The Lake Basin Region, Rift Valley, the Highland West and East of Rift Valley, including Nairobi, Southeastern lowlands, the coast, and the northern regions would experience heavy rainfall.

The counties to be likely affected were; Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Busia, Kisil, Nyamira, Nandi, Kerichvo, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Narok, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West-Pokot, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Tana-River, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Marsabit, Garissa and Isiolo.

Anticipating the devastating effects of the floods, the Kenya Red Cross urged Kenyans to be vigilant and take precautions.

The humanitarian organisation urged the inhabitants of the foregoing areas to remain vigilant for possible floods and flash floods

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Debris of a bridge washed away by floods.

Kirinyaga: 62-Year-Old Woman Drowns while Crossing Swollen River - Tuko

62-year-old woman swept away by floods in Kirinyaga - YouTube