Maasai Mara: Quick Thinking Kenyan Guide Saves Tourists, Staff Members Stuck At Flooded Resort

• A total of 14 tourists and 25 staff members at a Maasai Mara resort were saved from imminent death after tour guide James Apollo Omenya helped them
• The resort had experienced flash floods that marooned the group, and Omenya led the group to an elevated tank
• Although they were rained on the entire night, at least their lives were saved by the courageous bird watcher

James Apolloh Omenya has stood out as a hero after rescuing 14 tourists and 25 staff members at a flooded Maasai Mara resort.

27-year-old Omenya saves lives

In an Instagram post shared by CNN journalist Larry Madowo, it emerged that Omenya is a freelance tour guide and also an avid birdwatcher.

The 27-year-old woke everyone up and moved them to elevated water tanks as their camp was surrounded by flood waters.

"When I spoke to him, the first thing he did was to shout out his driver and tentmate, Michael Mureithi, who helped him lead everyone. He even swam to save the life of someone else who was trapped in flood waters where a chopper could not fly," said Madowo.

Omenya said they crossed impassable bridges

When speaking after his heroic deed, Omenya said:

"In case you missed any of these, I am currently safe; we are finally out of Takel Town and now in Narok. I managed to come out with six international tourists who were not willing to be airlifted to Nairobi but preferred continuing with their Safari place."

"How we came out of the Talek Town, which is surrounded by broken, impassable bridges, will be on my next post. Here in Narok, we're all safe, and thanks to our rescue driver," he added.

Body of police officer retrieved

In another story, the body of Cyprian Walunya Kasili, the base commander at Ruai, was retrieved after the members of the public made a police report.

According to the police report made at KBC Police Station under NO 38, members of the public became concerned when they saw a car submerged in water.

They trooped to the police station to report the incident, and officers who swung into action managed to retrieve the gallant officer's body.

How floods affected Maasai Mara area

• Tourism in Kenya has been affected after floods hit major camps in Kenya
• According to the Red Cross organisation, 36 people were rescued by air, and an aqua rescue team saved another 25 after floods hit tourist camps
• Two students from Maasai Mara University drowned in Enkare River while on an adventure

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.