A tragic incident in Katisaa village, Kityoko, Machakos County has claimed the life of a 28-year-old man after a sand trench collapsed on him. The victim, identified as Kyalo Musyoka, had been harvesting sand from private land with a lorry driver on Saturday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses reported that the two had completed loading their truck and were preparing to leave when Musyoka realized he had left his shovel behind. He returned to retrieve it from the trench, but the unstable walls gave way, burying him under approximately six feet of sand.
His colleague, concerned by Musyoka’s delay, went to check on him about ten minutes later, only to discover the collapsed trench. He immediately raised the alarm, drawing the attention of local residents who rushed in an attempt to rescue the victim. Sadly, their efforts were in vain, and Musyoka’s lifeless body was later retrieved and moved to a nearby mortuary. A postmortem is scheduled as investigations into the incident continue.
Local authorities have persistently cautioned against unregulated and unsafe sand harvesting, which remains a major issue in the region. Despite campaigns and warnings, many young men continue to engage in the risky activity, often without protective gear or proper oversight. The high demand for sand, driven by construction activities in Machakos and nearby areas like Nairobi, fuels this perilous trade.
In a separate and equally disturbing incident in Kibwezi, Makueni County, police have launched a murder investigation after a badly decomposed body was discovered in a water tank. The body, which remains unidentified, was found on Saturday afternoon and is believed to have been dumped after a possible homicide.
Authorities are seeking help from the public to identify the deceased and have moved the body to a local mortuary where an autopsy will be conducted.
These incidents serve as a grim reminder of the daily hazards faced by many Kenyans, whether through unsafe working environments or criminal acts. They highlight the urgent need for enhanced safety regulations, better enforcement, and stronger community vigilance to prevent future tragedies.
