This archive report was first published on 3 November 2019.
On the weekend, a Class Seven pupil, Felix Oburu, tragically lost his life in an open quarry in Ang'orom Village, Teso South Constituency. The 18-year-old was swimming with five friends when the incident occurred.
According to eyewitnesses, Felix was in a deep part of the quarry when he drowned. One of his friends, who was with him at the time, recounted the incident, saying, 'I tried to save him but it was hard because the place he drowned was very deep.'
Following Felix's death, the area Member of County Assembly, James Ong'ole, and residents have called on the contractor working on the Busia-Malaba road to find a solution to the quarry, which they view as a deathtrap. They have asked the contractor to either fence it or fill it with soil to prevent further tragic incidents.
Mr. Ong'ole emphasized the danger posed by the quarry, stating, 'The quarry poses a great danger not only to people but livestock as well.'
His sentiments were echoed by Ezekiel Okwach, a Chief Officer in the office of Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, who said, 'There is a need for the many quarries in Angorom ward to be closed to prevent such deaths.'
The quarry was left open after the marum was excavated to be used in the construction of the road. The contractor was unavailable for comment as his calls went unanswered.
