By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
May 24, 2026 - Search efforts are ongoing after a 26-year-old man reportedly drowned while harvesting sand at River Daua in the Neboi area of Mandera East.
The victim, identified as Mohamed Ibrahim Guhad, was reportedly carrying out sand harvesting activities inside the river when he was swept away by strong currents.
According to preliminary reports, the incident happened at around 4 pm in Neboi sub-location within Central Division.
Witnesses said the victim had been working alongside other sand harvesters before fast-moving waters overwhelmed him and carried him downstream.
Residents and local responders immediately launched efforts to trace and recover the body, but by Saturday evening, the body had not yet been found.
The incident has renewed concern among residents who depend on sand harvesting activities along River Daua for their livelihoods, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and rising water levels.
Locals say water flow along the river has increased significantly in recent days following ongoing rains in Mandera County and upstream areas in Ethiopia, which frequently affect River Daua downstream. Similar flooding and overflow incidents have previously disrupted communities and infrastructure along the river.
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Residents are now appealing to local leaders and well-wishers to provide safety equipment and emergency support for sand harvesters working in dangerous sections of the river.
Some community members said many young people continue working in high-risk conditions because sand harvesting remains one of the few available sources of income in the area.
Authorities have advised the victim’s family to formally report the matter at the nearest police station to facilitate investigations and coordinate search and recovery efforts with emergency response teams.
Local leaders have also urged residents to exercise caution while working near rivers and flood-prone areas, warning that water levels along River Daua continue to rise amid ongoing heavy rains across parts of the region.
The drowning comes as several parts of Mandera County continue experiencing flooding and dangerous river currents, raising wider concerns over the safety of residents living and working near riverbanks.
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