The tragic death of four siblings in a Kisumu quarry has taken a dark and mysterious turn. Police have officially widened their investigation beyond drowning after first responders reported seeing foam on the mouths of the victims, raising terrifying questions about what really happened at the water’s edge.

The children, aged between eight and 15, were found dead on Sunday in an abandoned quarry pond in Kanyakwar, Kisumu Central. While initial reports suggested a swimming accident, the discovery of potential poisoning symptoms has halted the closure of the case. Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo confirmed on Monday that the "drowning theory" is now being treated with skepticism as detectives await toxicology reports.

Foam, Jerrycans, and Silence

The scene at Kanyakwar was heartbreakingly silent when the bodies were retrieved. However, it was the condition of the bodies that alarmed the authorities. "If it is true that there was foam coming from their mouths, then someone can suspect something else," Commissioner Leparmorijo stated bluntly. "If a person drowns, you typically do not have foam coming out of the mouth in that manner."

Adding to the mystery is the conflicting timeline of events. The family, devastated and searching for answers, claims the children had left home to fetch water—a chore they had performed countless times. This account is supported by the discovery of jerrycans near the edge of the pond. If they went to fetch water, why did they end up in the deep end? Did they fall? Were they pushed? or did they ingest something toxic before entering the water?

• The Victims: The four children were pupils at Kudho Primary School. Three were born to the first wife of Felix Okoth, and the fourth to his second wife. The tragedy has effectively wiped out a generation of the Okoth family, leaving them with only one surviving child.
• The Site: The quarry in Kanyakwar is one of many open, man-made death traps in the region. Residents have long complained about these abandoned pits, which fill with rain and runoff, becoming hazards for the community.

A Community Demands Answers

The tragedy has reignited the fury of Kisumu residents regarding environmental negligence. Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has directed the county’s Environment Department to conduct an immediate audit of all quarries in conjunction with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). But for the residents of Kanyakwar, this bureaucratic response comes too late.

"We have buried too many children in these holes," said Mary Achieng, a neighbor of the bereaved family. "They dig the stone, they make their money, and they leave us with the graves." The sentiment reflects a deep-seated frustration with the lack of rehabilitation of mining sites, a legal requirement that is frequently flouted with impunity.

As the police await the post-mortem results, the Okoth family sits in an agonizing limbo. They are mourning four children who left to fetch water and returned as bodies in a morgue. The foam on their lips remains the haunting detail that stands between a tragic accident and a potential criminal act.