Body of A Youngster Retrieved From Thiba River Near Rukenya Shopping Centre

Story by Sammie Mugane

BODY OF A YOUNGSTER RETRIEVED FROM THIBA RIVER NEAR RUKENYA SHOPPING CENTRE

A family in Kibaruini Village, Rukenya Sub-location, Kabare Ward, Kirinyaga East Sub-County (Gichugu), Kirinyaga County is morning the death of their kin.

A body of a young man identified as James Murigi, 20 years, was today retrieved from Thiba River near Rukenya Shopping Centre, Kirinyaga East Sub-County, Kirinyaga County.

The deceased had gone missing for days and his whereabouts were not known.

It is suspected he may have committed suicide by drowning although this has not yet been established and substantiated.

The body was picked by the police for morgue as they probe on the cause of the deceased's untimely death. 

Elsewhere residents of Kiuria Village, Nguka Location, Thiba  ward in Mwea West Sub-County are mourning the death of a 65-year-old man, Jackson Gitari who drowned as heavy rains continue to cause flooding in the area.

The deceased was drowned while fetching water from canal stream near a rice farm on Wednesday.

His body was later recovered more than four kilometres downstream at Unit 14 area after a rigorous search by local residents.

Villagers from Kangiciri, Kiuria, Ndorome, and surrounding areas participated in the search.

Some residents linked the incident to the consumption of an illicit brew known locally as “kangai kwigaca,” claiming it has contributed to increased drowning cases during the rainy season.

The incident comes as several parts of Kirinyaga County continue to experience flooding occasioned by heavy downpour that has seen several households displaced.