Tragedy as two minors drown in Nyeri dam
By Loise Wambugu, December 8, 2023
Residents of Kaheho village in Gakindu, Mukurwe-ini sub-county in Nyeri County, have been thrown into a mourning state after two minors drowned in a dam on Thursday evening.
The two, Jane Wanjiku, and Trizah Gakenia, were in the company of six others who had gone for a picnic at the dam when the tragedy occurred.
Accidental slip
According to the residents, three girls accidentally slipped into the dam but only one was rescued alive.
Confirming the incident, Mukurwe-ini Assistant County Commissioner Caroline Asiko said that the event occurred on Thursday evening but efforts to rescue them did not bear fruits as they had already died.
“Following this unfortunate incident, visiting this dam is out of bounds until a permanent solution is found to prevent more deaths,” Asiko said.
The area Member of Parliament John Kaguchia now wants the dam inspected, desilt and fenced by the county government of Nyeri to prevent more calamities, noting that the 70-year-old dam has already claimed four lives.
“The county disaster management committee will on Monday visit the dam to assess it and start the process of fencing it,” he said.
He also cautioned the parents to always ensure they are aware of the whereabouts of their children during the long holiday season and also promised to assist the families in burial preparations.