This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
On December 12, 2019, a 23-year-old woman named Sylvia Aluoch tragically drowned in River Kuja, located in Ongito village, Uriri, Migori County.
According to Uriri sub-county police commander Peter Njoroge, Sylvia had attended a women's group meeting and was under pressure to repay a Sh9,000 loan she had secured from a Sacco.
As she was heading home, Sylvia reportedly boarded a motorcycle but alighted on the way to pick up her shawl, which had dropped. In a moment of desperation, she jumped into River Kuja, despite the raging waters.
Attempts to rescue Sylvia were futile, with Njoroge stating that the strong currents swept her downstream. The body has not been recovered.
Police have not ruled out the possibility that the debt may have contributed to Sylvia's actions, but it is unclear if this was the sole reason for her tragic decision.
