The young man, identified as Kelvin Gitonga, was a well-known boda boda (motorcycle taxi) operator and an experienced swimmer in the area.
Kelvin Gitonga, who was popular in Ngurubani Town and Kamucege Village, had been spending time with friends near the dam.
It was during this gathering that a conversation about swimming arose, leading to a bet. Kelvin, confident in his swimming abilities, agreed to the challenge of swimming across the dam to win Ksh 300.
The bet, although small in value, ended in tragedy. According to witnesses, the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Kelvin had nearly completed the swim and was close to reaching the shore when he suddenly began to struggle.
Despite being an experienced swimmer, he was unable to make it to safety and drowned before anyone could rescue him. The shocking incident left the local community in disbelief.
News of Kelvin’s death spread quickly through Maisha Kamili in Ngurubani Town and Kamucege Village, leaving residents in shock and mourning.
Many could not believe that a man known for his swimming skills could have drowned in a place he had frequented so many times before.
Philip Njogu, a resident of Kamucege, expressed his disbelief, saying, “When we heard what had happened, we rushed to the dam, but it was already too late. Kelvin was a strong swimmer. It's hard to believe he is gone.”
Another local, Kinyua Warui, recounted the events leading up to the incident. He mentioned that Kelvin had been confident in his ability to win the bet, and that he had almost made it across the dam when he drowned.
“This isn't the first time Kelvin and his friends have made such bets, but it is the first time things have ended in tragedy,” Kinyua added.
The dam, which was constructed by the National Irrigation Authority to support rice farming during the dry season, has become a popular spot for locals.
However, this tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety of the dam. Residents of Kamucege and Ngurubani have called on the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further accidents.
“We need this dam to be fenced,” urged Tebere Unit leader Alex Nguo, who represents the local rice farmers. “This is the second death in our area related to this dam.
While it serves an important purpose for farming, it has become a danger to our community. Fencing the dam is the only way to prevent more tragedies.”
The call for increased safety measures has been echoed by many in the community. There is a growing concern that the dam, while essential for irrigation, poses a significant risk to those who frequent the area, particularly children and young adults who may be drawn to the water for recreation.
Following the incident, local divers and police officers from Wanguru Police Station were dispatched to the scene to search for Kelvin’s body.
The search continued late into the night, with the community anxiously awaiting news. On Monday morning, efforts to recover the body intensified as water from the dam was diverted to nearby rice farms. This measure was taken to lower the water level and facilitate the search.
Tebere Unit leader Alex Nguo, who has been at the forefront of the recovery efforts, expressed hope that Kelvin’s body would be found soon.
“We are confident that we will recover his body so that his family can give him a proper send-off,” Nguo said. The death of Kelvin Gitonga has left a deep impact on the community.
Friends, family, and neighbors have come together to support one another during this difficult time. The incident has sparked conversations about the dangers of engaging in risky behavior, even when the stakes seem low.
Kelvin’s family is devastated by the loss. His parents, who live in Kamucege Village, are struggling to come to terms with the fact that their son is gone.
The local community has rallied around them, offering support and condolences. A fundraiser is being organized to help the family cover the funeral expenses.
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