A four-day search for an 18-year-old Kirinyaga University student who drowned while swimming in River Thiba has ended in tragedy after his body was recovered on Wednesday evening. Gideon Ekai, who had joined the university in September, was swimming with a friend at Thiba Falls when the incident occurred on Sunday, leaving his family, fellow students and residents devastated.
His death has also renewed concerns about the dangers of swimming in sections of the river, where locals say previous drowning incidents have prompted repeated warnings to visitors.
Highlights
- Gideon Ekai, an 18-year-old first-year student, drowned at Thiba Falls on Sunday.
- His body was recovered on Wednesday evening in Kiamathatwa village after four days of searching.
- His aunt, Esakon Ekal, identified the body.
- Residents say the latest incident is part of a troubling pattern of student drownings in the river.
- The body was taken to Kerugoya Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Main Story
Four-Day Search Ends in Tragedy
The search for Gideon Ekai came to an end on Wednesday evening when his body was discovered in Kiamathatwa village, several kilometres downstream from the location where he was reported to have drowned.
Ekai, an 18-year-old first-year student at Kirinyaga University, had reportedly gone swimming with a friend at Thiba Falls on Sunday when the incident occurred.
He had joined the university in September, making the tragedy an especially painful loss for his family and the university community.
His aunt, Esakon Ekal, positively identified his body after it was recovered.
Following the discovery, the body was taken to Kerugoya Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination before being released to the family for burial arrangements.
Residents Warn Students Against Swimming in the River
The incident has brought renewed attention to the risks faced by students who visit River Thiba for swimming and sightseeing.
According to residents, the area has become a popular destination for university students seeking to enjoy its natural scenery. However, locals say visitors continue to enter dangerous sections of the river despite warnings about the risks.
Resident Chomba Ngahu said community members have repeatedly cautioned students against swimming in the river, pointing to previous drowning incidents.
He expressed frustration that the warnings have seemingly failed to prevent further tragedies.
Simon Mwaniki Njoka, a fisherman who works along River Thiba, also warned that some sections are too dangerous for swimming, even for people who have lived in the area for years.
He urged students to appreciate the river’s scenery without putting themselves at risk in its waters.
Third Student Reportedly Drowned in the Area
Mwaniki said Ekai was reportedly the third university student to drown in the river, adding that another student’s body had been recovered from the same area the previous year.
He described the repeated incidents as distressing, particularly given how recently Ekai had arrived in the region to begin his university education.
The fisherman also called for measures to limit access to particularly dangerous sections of the river to help prevent further loss of life.
According to Mwaniki, some areas contain deep water and submerged tree roots, which can create serious hazards for swimmers.
These conditions may be difficult for visitors to recognise, especially those unfamiliar with the river’s depth and underwater obstacles.
Calls for Greater Caution Around Thiba Falls
Another resident, Joseph Warui, urged students to avoid swimming in River Thiba, warning that activities around trees and the riverbanks can also expose visitors to danger.
The residents’ concerns point to the need for greater awareness of water safety among students who visit natural attractions around the university.
Clear warning signs, restricting access to hazardous areas and educating visitors about the risks could help reduce exposure to dangerous sections of the river.
For students and other visitors, the tragedy is a reminder that an attractive swimming spot can conceal hazards that are not immediately visible from the riverbank.
Family Prepares to Lay Student to Rest
With the search concluded, Ekai’s family is now left to cope with the loss of a young man whose university journey had only just begun.
His death has also renewed calls for students to heed local warnings and for communities to consider additional safety measures around dangerous waterways.
As the family prepares for his burial, residents hope the tragedy will prompt action to prevent similar incidents from claiming more young lives.
Gideon Ekai’s death is a painful reminder that one moment of recreation can end in tragedy. How many more lives must be lost before dangerous waterways receive the attention and safety measures they need?
