Three men have tragically lost their lives after they drowned in a dam in Nyandarua County.
According to reports, the incidents happened at the Kwa Meru Dam in Engineer Town on Monday, June 9, as the three were desilting at the dam.
Local authorities are on site to spearhead search operations to retrieve their bodies from the water.
Desilting is the process of removing silt soil particles from water bodies like rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals, or drainage systems.
This procedure is meant to increase the storage volume of a dam and remove the accumulated organic material. However, conducting these procedures without adhering to the necessary safety precautions might end up in disaster.
The process often involves excavating near or in the water, which can create unexpected, powerful currents, making it difficult for a person to navigate and potentially leading to drowning.
Again, when this procedure is conducted, air trapped in the water can reduce buoyancy and make it difficult for people to stay afloat.
The incident comes two months after two male students from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) lost their lives while swimming at the Mugutha Dam.
Following their death, which ultimately led to the closure of the dam, the Juja Deputy County Commissioner, Daniel Ndege, noted that the dam had little to no basic safety features like divers and barriers despite the area being frequented by hundreds of revellers.
Ndege stressed that parents should remain vigilant and prevent their children from visiting such dangerous recreational water bodies.
“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 said.
"We have already talked to the chief to prohibit the youth from accessing the dam," the deputy commissioner added.
