Man dies while digging well in Kirinyaga

The body was moved to Kerugoya Referral Hospital mortuary, awaiting post postmortem. [Timothy Kariuki, Standard]

A middle-aged man has died while digging a well at Kandongu trading centre in Mwea-west sub-county in Kirinyaga County.

Residents say the man, who is well known for his work, had been contracted by a rental house owner to dig a well when the unfortunate incident happened.

His friend, John Muchiri, said they were extending a 43-foot well to increase the water supply following the prolonged dry spell.

"I became suspicious after I stayed for about five minutes without hearing any sound from the inside and that is when I noticed that he was trapped. I tried to remove him but I could not and decided to raise an alarm," he said.

Shocked residents used a rope to remove the body from the well. They suspect he may have died due to lack of oxygen.

Tabitha Wanjiku, another resident said that they live in the same plot with the deceased and was shocked to find out that he had died.

"I still can't believe that we have lost him, I was with him like an hour ago, and as he was taking tea, he told me he was going back to work, this is sad," she said

The body was moved to Kerugoya Referral Hospital mortuary, awaiting post postmortem.