Chinga Dam closed after drowning incident

Aug 18, 2023 - 13:39

Chinga Ward Representative, Kiruga Thuku (left), together with members of the County Security and Intelligence Committee, oversee the retrieval of the two bodies from Chinga Dam in Othaya, Nyeri County.

Nyeri

Friday August 18, 2023

KNA, by Wangari Mwangi

Nyeri County Commissioner, Pius Murugu, has ordered the immediate stop of all activities at the Chinga Dam in Nyeri County, until safety and security measures are put in place.

The County Commissioner at the same time has ordered the removal of all boats and banned fishing and boat rides at the dam which claimed the lives of two young men, among them a form three student, Tuesday, this week while on a boat ride.

“The County Security and Intelligence Committee has agreed that it is best that we stop all activities at this Dam because we do not want to lose any more lives. I have ordered the Sub-county Security team and all the stakeholders to work together, to see to it that proper security measures are put in place before the Dam is re-opened to the public,” said Murugu.

Murugu was speaking during the retrieval mission of the body of a 21 year-old Zaphan Gichora from the dam.

Gichora met his death when the boat that he and his three friends were riding in capsized upon reaching the middle of the Dam owing to strong winds. Witnesses say that while two of the occupants were able to swim their way to the shores of the Dam, Gichora and his friend drowned.

On Wednesday, divers from Kiambu County working jointly with the Nyeri County Fire Department retrieved the body of the form three student at Gathera Secondary School, who died alongside Gichora. Both bodies are currently lying at Kiria-ini Hospital Mortuary.

Other measures that Murugu said will have to be in place before the Dam is re-opened to the public include, the presence of lifeguards and the erection of a perimeter fence and gate to control access to the Dam.

The Administrator also said that all boat owners wishing to operate in the Dam will now have to be inspected, to ensure that they meet safety standards.

“All boats wishing to operate here will now have to be inspected, to ensure that they meet safety standards. The people operating boat riding business, will also be required to have life jackets for their passengers and the general management of those who operate in the Dam will also need to be checked thoroughly henceforth,” said Murugu.

Courtesy ; K. N. A