A 25-year-old man drowned in Mwea Constituency, Kirinyaga County, on Sunday while attempting to swim across a National Irrigation Authority dam to win a Ksh. 300 bet. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 p.m., has shocked residents of Maisha Kamili in Ngurubani Town and Kamucege Village, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures around local water bodies.
Kelvin Gitonga, a well-known swimmer and boda boda operator in Ngurubani, had reportedly made a bet with a friend that he could swim from one end of the dam to the other. Despite being an experienced swimmer, Gitonga’s confidence was tragically misplaced. According to witnesses, he was nearing the shore when he suddenly disappeared beneath the water’s surface.
Residents who gathered at the dam were left in disbelief. Philip Njogu, a local resident, expressed his shock, saying, “We rushed to the dam as soon as we heard, but it’s hard to believe Kelvin drowned. He was an experienced swimmer.” The incident has stirred deep sorrow and disbelief among the community, who had known Gitonga for his skill in swimming.
Kinyua Warui, another local, recounted the harrowing events leading up to the tragedy. “Kelvin was confident he could make it, and he was almost at the shore when it happened. This isn’t the first time he and his friends have made such bets,” Warui explained. The community’s collective grief is compounded by the fact that this kind of daredevil behavior has previously resulted in similar incidents.
The disappearance of Gitonga’s friend, who had placed the bet, has added to the complexity of the situation. Witnesses report that the friend vanished shortly after the incident, leaving many questions unanswered and further complicating the grieving process for Gitonga’s family and friends.
In the wake of the tragedy, there has been a renewed call from residents of Kamucege and Ngurubani for the National Irrigation Authority to take immediate action to prevent further incidents. The dam, which was constructed to support rice farming during the dry season, currently lacks adequate safety measures. Alex Nguo, leader of the Tebere Unit of local rice farmers, has echoed these concerns. “The dam was constructed to support rice farming during the dry season, but we need it fenced to prevent further tragedies,” Nguo stated. This call for increased safety measures highlights the urgent need to address potential hazards associated with local water bodies.
The search for Gitonga’s body continued late into the night, with local divers and police from Wanguru Police Station involved in the efforts. Water from the dam was diverted to nearby rice farms on Monday morning to facilitate the search. The community remains hopeful that Gitonga’s body will be recovered soon, allowing his family to give him a proper send-off and begin the process of closure.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated access to potentially hazardous areas. The call for enhanced safety measures around local dams is both timely and crucial, aiming to prevent future tragedies and protect the lives of those living in the vicinity. The community’s response to this incident underscores the need for proactive measures to ensure that such a devastating event does not recur.
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