The body of an unidentified man was recovered on Thursday evening from the Nyamindi River in Gathigiriri Sub-location, Kirinyaga County, sparking concern among residents over safety along the swollen riverbanks.
The discovery was made at around 6:50 p.m. by women fetching water, who spotted the body floating downstream. They immediately raised an alarm, drawing the attention of villagers from nearby areas including Kimbimbi, Matandara, Mahigaini, and Gathigiriri. The residents quickly gathered at the scene before alerting local authorities.
According to witnesses, two boys herding livestock were the first to notice the body and notified villagers, prompting a swift response. The area’s Assistant Chief confirmed the incident and stated that the man’s body had visible injuries, which may have resulted from impact with stones or debris in the river.
Police officers who arrived at the scene assisted locals in retrieving the body, which was later moved to the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital mortuary. Investigators are treating the incident as a possible case of drowning while awaiting the results of a postmortem examination.
Residents have expressed growing concern over the rising water levels in the Nyamindi River, attributed to heavy rainfall in the Mt. Kenya forest region. They say the strong currents have made it increasingly dangerous for people living near the river, especially those fetching water or crossing makeshift bridges.
One resident speculated that the deceased might have drowned upstream in the Karoti area of Kimbimbi and was carried downstream for more than ten kilometers by the river’s swift currents. The swollen river has been known to sweep away debris and animals in recent weeks, raising fears of more such incidents if the rains persist.
Authorities are now urging locals to exercise caution around flooded areas and to report any missing persons who may help in identifying the recovered body. Meanwhile, police have launched investigations to establish the circumstances that led to the man’s death.
