Rescue operations were launched on Tuesday, January 6, after two teenage girls fell into a waterhole in Loima, Turkana County, about 15 kilometres from the nearest settlement while fetching water amid the ongoing severe drought.
The Kenya Red Cross said the Turkana Search and Rescue team managed to retrieve one of the victims, with efforts ongoing to trace the second girl.
The girls, aged 16 and 18, had walked a long distance in search of water when the incident occurred, underscoring the harsh realities faced by residents as water sources continue to dry up.
Search and Rescue Launched After Girls Fall Into Remote Waterhole in Turkana. Photo: Courtesy.
Many communities have increasingly turned to shallow waterholes dug in dry riverbeds and sandy areas, which, while providing temporary relief, pose serious dangers due to their depth and unstable walls.
The Kenya Red Cross has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting communities as emergencies continue to strain resources nationwide.
In the first days of the year, the organisation responded to multiple incidents, including road accidents, fires, drowning cases and a collapsed building, while also assisting nearly two million people affected by drought.
The update comes amid rising water-related tragedies, following the recent drowning of five people after a fishing boat capsized on Lake Victoria in Siaya County.
