Probe on after 10-year-old boy drowns in septic tank in Mlolongo

Police are investigating an incident where a 10 - year - old boy reportedly drowned in a septic tank in Mlolongo, Machakos county.

Athi River East Subcounty police commander Anderson Mbae said the boy died after he fell into the septic tank at Mlolongo phase 2 estate within Mlolongo Township on Wednesday.

Mbae said the matter was reported to the Mlolongo police station by the deceased's mother as a drowning incident report.

"It was reported by one Sylvia Naliaka Mukhebu, 30, resident of Mlolongo phase 2, that today at around 9 am, Owen (deceased), 10 years, was playing with other children at an abandoned plot near their residence. She heard screams from where the children were playing, and upon going to check, she found that her son had drowned in an uncovered septic tank," Mbae told the Star on Wednesday.

He said police officers rushed to the scene and, with the assistance of the public, they removed the body in an operation that took close to six hours.

A local investor donated their septic tanker, which helped in draining water from the septic tank before the body was pulled out.

Mbae said police removed the body to Shallom Community Hospital mortuary, awaiting an autopsy.

He appealed to parents to be responsible and ensure their children's safety and psychological well-being, especially now that children are on mid-term break.

"Parents should be wary of their children's whereabouts at all times. Losing such a young soul is painful and could have been prevented," Mbae said.

Issues of children drowning in open pits and septic tanks within Mlolongo have been on the rise lately, with residents raising concerns on the same, urging relevant authorities to take necessary legal actions against the culprits, plot owners who fail to secure their open septic tanks, pit latrines, and bore holes.

Mbae said they had launched an investigation into the incident.