A weekend getaway turned tragic for a group of Nairobi youths after a 25-year-old man drowned in the Thiba River at Rukenya Falls in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County on Sunday evening.
The deceased, Daniel Mutua, was swimming with friends at around 5:30 p.m. when he reportedly got overwhelmed by the water currents while demonstrating swimming techniques to the group. The tragic incident occurred in the presence of over 20 of his friends, who had traveled from Nairobi for the weekend trip.
“It is the third day of tears and agony as we continue searching for our friend’s body,” said John Oyoyi, a close friend of the victim.
Efforts to retrieve Mutua’s body are ongoing, involving local residents, the Kirinyaga County disaster management unit, and local divers, who have been combing the area since the incident.
Authorities say over 100 youths had visited Rukenya Falls for recreational swimming over the weekend prior to the tragedy. The area is known for its natural beauty but lacks formal safety measures for swimmers.
