By Perez Karisa, June 29, 2o26.
A 30-year-old man drowned on Saturday afternoon while swimming in Gachomo Dam in Juja Subcounty, Kiambu County.
The deceased, identified as Peter Mwaura, is said to have entered the dam using a bamboo pipe to aid his swimming before being overwhelmed by strong water currents.
According to witnesses, Mwaura struggled in the water before disappearing beneath the surface. Members of the public responded and managed to retrieve his body before police officers arrived at the scene.
Police confirmed that the body had no visible physical injuries. Officers documented the scene before transferring the body to the Kenyatta University Hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination and further investigations.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by dams and abandoned quarries in Juja Subcounty, which have claimed several lives over the years. Many of these water bodies have steep underwater slopes, hidden debris and unpredictable currents, making them hazardous even for experienced swimmers.
Authorities have repeatedly urged members of the public to avoid swimming in such water bodies and to observe safety precautions, particularly during periods of warm weather when more people are drawn to open water.
