The dam in Juja, which is infamous for deaths and accidents, has been placed out of bounds for the foreseeable future following the latest tragic incident.
Juja Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Ndege made the announcement, stating that the Mugutha Dam, popular for 'park and chill', would remain closed as area security agencies continue to conduct assessment tests before reopening it to the public.
The move comes just a day after two students from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) lost their lives while swimming in the dam.
Kiambu County divers retrieved the bodies, which were taken to the General Kago Funeral Home in Thika.
“The area, known for its scenic dam and loved by outdoor enthusiasts, is considered particularly dangerous. This is because motorists often park on a slope overlooking the water to enable them to have a good view,” Ndege observed.
The county commissioner further noted that the dam had little to no basic safety features like divers and barriers despite the area being frequented by hundreds of revellers.
"We have already talked to the chief to prohibit the youth from accessing the dam," Ndege added, warning parents against allowing their children to go to such recreational water bodies.
Notably, the commissioner observed that there were more than eight recreational bodies in the Juja sub-county, which all posed a safety hazard to revellers.
Empty water and alcohol bottles have often been discovered around the Mugutha dam, suggesting the area is a popular partying spot, particularly for university students.
One of the scenic dams was particularly dangerous, as motorists had developed a habit of parking near a slope overlooking the water body to enjoy the view.
The recreational site first gained nationwide attention in 2023 when a man and a woman lost their lives after their car plunged into the dam.
At the time, it was suspected that the couple was intoxicated and accidentally released the vehicle's handbrake while inside.
