West Pokot: Floods Sweep Away 75-Year-Old Man While Trying To Pick His Bottle Of Liquor From Trench

• Joseph Benta Lorema’s lifeless body was found inside a trench near Makutano Primary School after heavy rains
• Lorema had travelled to the local Makutano Township to open a bank account and start receiving Inua Jamii’s monthly cash transfer for the elderly
• The 75-year-old man was accompanied by his son, John Chumba Lorema, as they secured the application at the Post Bank branch
• While pursuing a dropped alcohol bottle during heavy rain, Lorema collapsed inside the flooded trench, ultimately succumbing to the violent waters

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

West Pokot - A family from Psigirio village is mourning the tragic death of their kin after he drowned in a flooded trench.

Joseph Benta Lorema's lifeless body was found inside a trench near Makutano Primary School on Friday, May 24, following heavy rains.

According to his family, Lorema had travelled to the local Makutano Township to open a bank account so he could start receiving Inua Jamii's monthly cash transfer for the elderly.

The 75-year-old man was accompanied by his son, John Chumba Lorema, and together they secured the application at the Post Bank branch.

A report by TV47 revealed that the former prison warder had asked Chumba to take him to his niece, who sells motorbike spare parts near Makutano Primary School.

Chumba said his father promised to walk back home, asking him to help other elders register for the cash transfer.

How did Lorema drown?

He indicated that his father indulged in alcohol from time to time, and on that day, he was offered KSh 80, where he went and bought some liquor and carried a little in a bottle.

Chumba observed that his dad might have taken molasses liquor, which he described as being dangerous.

Locals explained that the old man went to his normal resting place, where he continued drinking his alcohol.

However, a few minutes later, while still under the tree, it started raining heavily, and after some time, his alcohol bottle dropped in the flooded trench.

Lorema reportedly pursued the bottle, and while he tried to pick it up, he collapsed inside the flooded trench.

Witnesses reported that Lorema was moved violently by flooding waters, leaving him injured and ultimately succumbing.

"The old man always collects scrap metals and sells them. He is always taking his liquor under that tree. He had his bag full of scrap metals together with his cap, which is still under the tree," said Peter Wafula, a bodaboda rider.

How many died in Tana River accident?

In other sad news, 28 people died following the tragic incident where a boat capsized at Kona Punda.

On Sunday, April 28, a boat carrying more than 50 people capsized while trying to cross River Tana, which was flooded.

Sharing the heartbreaking news, Garissa senator Ali Roba said 28 lives had been lost while many were still unaccounted for.

In his message, Roba sent his condolence message to the families of the affected victims, saying God should give them strength during the difficult time.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Makutano residents looking at the body of an elderly man who drowned.

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