Kilifi family seeking help to retrieve body of 22-year-old kin from Indian Ocean
A Kilifi family from Malindi town is seeking help to retrieve the body of their kin who allegedly dived to her death at the Kilifi Bridge, 60 kilometers away in Kilifi town.
According to the family of the deceased, 22-year-old Beatrice Neema Kalume who was a final year student at the Shanzu Teachers College in Mombasa County, left home in Malindi on Thursday last week and it is now the fourth day without trace.
Mary Mwadondo, Neema’s mother, said that her daughter woke up early on Thursday morning and left the house but she did not reveal where she was going.
“She left at 3: 55am and I asked her where she was going and she told me she wanted to drink tap water within the compound but she failed to return, that is when I woke up his brother to try to find out but she could not be traced,” she said.
She added that they reported to the area chief in Malindi who later in the day revealed to them that there was a woman who had committed suicide at the Kilifi Bridge that very morning and she bore a similar name with her daughter.
“The chief in Malindi broke the news to us that she had committed suicide and her national identity card and phone were at the Kilifi police station. We then immediately travelled to Kilifi police station where we confirmed the sad news,” she added.
It is now the fourth day of searching at the Kilifi creek but the body has not been retrieved and now the family is seeking help after the County government told them that it has no divers forcing them to hire local fishermen for the search job.
According to an eye witness who claimed to have seen the incident on Thursday, the deceased arrived in Kilifi town from Malindi at around 5am on Thursday morning and boarded a boda boda heading towards Mnarani area but upon reaching at the middle of the bridge, she stopped the rider, quickly alighted and jumped in the water at the middle of the bridge.
Rescue and search operations had been suspended due to the depth of the creek as divers faced visibility difficulties.
The witness added that the deceased tried to call for help after landing in the water and even tried to swim before she drowned.
Teddy Kalume, the elder brother to the deceased said that the pain they were undergoing was overwhelming adding that they have been forced to spend money to hire local divers and purchase oxygen for them.
“We came here on Thursday and officers from the Kilifi Beach Safety Unit told us to wait for three days before they called us but we didn’t buy their ideas and so we hired some local fishermen to help us retrieve the body. The County government gave us a boat and fuel and said that it does not have professional divers. It is now the fourth day and we are still here,” he said.
He called on the County government of Kilifi to help them with whatever they can so that they can get the body of their sister to bury.
His sentiments were echoed by his younger brother Phillip Chanzera Kalume who said that the family was undergoing immense physiological depression as a result of the death of their sister.
Tom Kai who is the uncle to the deceased asked the national and county government to secure the bridge since depressed individuals were now turning it into a suicide spot.
“The Kilifi bridge is now a suicide area since many people in depression were using it to commit suicide. The government should secure the bridge to prevent such scenes from happening because three people have jumped to their death at the bridge this week alone,” he said.
Abdi Shalo from the Kilifi Boat Operators Association said that cases of people jumping off the Kilifi Bridge which is the longest in Kenya in attempts to commit suicide were on the rise and that many ended up losing their lives because of lack of sea rescue equipment.
“We have seen an increase in the number of people trying to jump over the bridge but we lack diving gear that will make rescue operations smooth. We want the County government to address the issue,” he said.
He however, accused the police manning the bridge laxed patrol along.
Kilifi Sub County Police Commander Kenneth Maina said that he will comment on the matter once the body is retrieved.
According to the family, the police said search and rescue is being conducted by County divers since they don’t have boats and diving equipment
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.