Man Loses Life in Dam While Trying to Win Ksh.300 Bet

A 25-year-old man tragically drowned in a dam in Mwea Constituency, Kirinyaga County, while attempting to win a Ksh 300 bet on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. and shocked the communities of Maisha Kamili in Ngurubani Town and Kamucege Village.

Kelvin Gitonga, known for his swimming skills and work as a boda boda operator in Ngurubani, had wagered with a friend that he could swim across the dam managed by the National Irrigation Authority. Witnesses reported that Gitonga was nearly at the far shore when he succumbed to the water. His friend, who had bet against him, vanished shortly after the accident.

Local resident Philip Njogu expressed disbelief, stating, "We rushed to the scene immediately, but it's hard to accept that Kelvin, an experienced swimmer, drowned."

Kinyua Warui, another community member, described Gitonga’s confidence before the incident. "He was almost at the shore when it happened. This kind of betting is not unusual for him and his friends."

In response to this tragedy, residents from Kamucege and Ngurubani have called for the National Irrigation Authority to secure the dam with fencing, noting that this is the second fatality in the area.

Rice farmers, led by Tebere Unit head Alex Nguo, have also urged for enhanced safety measures. "The dam, vital for rice cultivation during the dry season, needs proper fencing to prevent future accidents," Nguo emphasized.

Efforts to recover Gitonga’s body continued through the night, with local divers and police from Wanguru Police Station involved in the search. Water from the dam was redirected to nearby rice fields on Monday morning to aid in the search operations.

"We are hopeful that the recovery will be successful so that Kelvin’s family can give him a proper farewell," Nguo concluded.