The incident happened in the early hours of Monday, October 28, 2024, around 2 a.m., as Wachira was returning home with his cousin, James Munene, from a local bar.
According to Munene, he informed Wachira that his missing goat had been found dead in his compound. Wachira, wanting to confirm the news, decided to head straight to where the goat lay.
However, he accidentally walked onto a 75-foot well covered with rotten wooden planks near the location. The old, decayed wood gave way under his weight, and Wachira tragically fell into the deep well.
Munene recounted the moments leading up to the accident, explaining that Wachira had been eager to confirm the goat’s death and had not waited for him.
Munene said, “I wish he had waited for me, as he did not know the layout of my homestead.” His regret grew even deeper when he heard Wachira’s cries for help from inside the well.
Immediately after the accident, Munene raised an alarm, and local residents quickly gathered at the scene.
The Kirinyaga fire and disaster response team, led by John Kiama, arrived promptly, along with police officers, to assist in the rescue operation.
Despite the efforts of both residents and the emergency team, Wachira had already succumbed to his injuries.
His body was carefully retrieved from the well and transported to Kerugoya mortuary for further arrangements.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers of unsecured wells in rural areas, especially when covered with weak materials like old, rotten wood.
Such coverings are prone to giving way, posing a serious risk to people and animals.
In a separate incident that adds to the series of rural tragedies, a KCSE candidate in Machakos County drowned in a dam after reportedly being sent home from school due to unpaid fees.
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