Residents of Kutus and students from Kirinyaga University spent the night at River Thiba Falls in Kirinyaga County as efforts continued to recover a first-year student who drowned while swimming on Sunday, 18th October.
Police officers from Kutus Police Station, local administrators and residents joined the search at the falls, with divers working against strong currents and difficult underwater conditions. The operation continued until around 7pm on Monday, but the student had not been found by the time the search was suspended.
The incident has left fellow students and residents worried, with many gathering at the river as they waited for news. The student's relatives, who are yet to arrive at the scene, have reportedly been informed of the incident.
According to security officers at the scene, the student is from Lodwar and had gone swimming with a friend when the incident happened and the student got into trouble while attempting to help his friend.
Local divers led by Maulid Asman said recovering the student was proving difficult because of the depth of the river and the strength of the water.
Asman explained that some sections of the river have strong currents, submerged tree roots and other obstacles that make diving dangerous.
He said the divers were doing their best to locate the student but were also concerned about their own safety as they navigated the water.
The tragedy has also shaken students at Kirinyaga University, particularly because the young man had only recently joined the institution. His fellow students said he reported to the university in September and had not spent much time on campus.
One student described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that the first-year had barely begun his university life.
Residents say the incident has renewed concerns about safety at Kutus Falls, a popular attraction along River Thiba that draws visitors from within and outside Kirinyaga County.
Joseph Wachira, a resident of Kutus, said the falls are among the area's natural attractions, but called for greater awareness of the dangers posed by the river.
Residents want warning signs installed near the falls to alert swimmers, especially students and visitors who may not be familiar with the depth and strength of the current.
They said the latest incident was not the first drowning reported at the site and urged authorities to take measures to prevent further tragedies.
Despite the risks, residents and students remained at the river, hoping the search would lead to the recovery of the missing student. Some said they intended to remain at the scene until his family arrived and the search efforts yielded results.
Peter Munene, one of those at the river, said residents were hoping the body would eventually surface, as they believe has happened in previous incidents at the falls.
