Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo speaking to the media on the quarry tragedy incident in Kisumu./Faith Matete Some of the Kisumu residents looking at the open quarry in the Kanyakwar area, Kisumu Central Sub-county, where four siblings drowned./Faith Matete The open quarry in the Kanyakwar area, Kisumu Central Sub-county, where four siblings drowned./Faith Matete
Police have launched investigations into the tragic death of four siblings who drowned in an abandoned quarry in the Kanyakwar area, Kisumu Central Sub-county.
Police say investigations are ongoing, and a comprehensive report will be released once inquiries are complete.
The development comes as authorities raise concerns over unsafe, disused excavation sites across the county.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo said there are conflicting versions of events leading to the children’s death.
He said some reports indicate the children went to swim, while family members say they had gone to fetch water.
The children were pupils at Kanyakwar Primary School.
Three of the children were from the first wife of their father, Felix Otieno, while the fourth child was from his second wife.
The eldest was a 15-year-old Grade Nine pupil, followed by siblings in Grade Seven, Grade Six, and an eight-year-old.
The tragedy has left the family with only one surviving child.
The quarry, according to the County Commissioner, was excavated more than 25 years ago by a company during road construction works.
He noted that although it was initially fenced off, the barrier was later vandalised, leaving the site exposed and dangerous.
“What remains are broken fence posts. The site was never rehabilitated or filled up after quarrying activities ended, yet such sites should be restored once operations are completed,” he said.
Leparmorijo revealed that police are also investigating claims that foam was seen coming from the children’s mouths, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“There are unconfirmed reports that foam was observed coming from the children’s mouths. This is a matter under investigation, and at this stage, we cannot make any conclusions,” he said.
He noted that all possibilities are going to be examined before a final report is released.
Residents in the area say this is not the first time such incidents have occurred, blaming numerous abandoned and unrehabilitated quarries scattered across Kanyakwar and other parts of Kisumu County.
Responding to questions on enforcement, the County Commissioner said the government has previously worked closely with the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and other agencies to stop illegal quarrying, issue restoration orders, and arrest offenders.
“We have held meetings, issued stop orders, and even made arrests in the past. Some operators have continued illegally, including quarrying on private land without consent,” he noted.
Leparmorijo added that quarry operators are required to obtain licenses from the Department of Mining, conduct environmental impact assessments, and secure approval from the county government—requirements many operators fail to meet.
He called for urgent action to rehabilitate abandoned quarry sites, citing successful restoration projects in other parts of the country.
“This tragedy is not just a loss to one family but to the entire county and the nation. It is time we decisively address the danger posed by abandoned quarries,” he said.