Two first-year students from the University of Meru fell and drowned in River Nyamindi during a nature walk on Saturday.
The two, 19 and 21, were in the company of five of their friends when they plunged to their deaths.
According to Mwea-East OCPD Kizito Mutoro, the two were taking photos when one of them fell into the river. In an attempt to save the companion, the second student jumped into the river and the two perished.
"The five male and two female students had come to tour the area, Daraja ya Mungu, where there is a gorge and the Chinese are working on a project to generate hydro-electric power.
[caption caption="File image of recovery efforts at a past drowning incident"]
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"As the students were having fun, one of them fell into the river and when the other student tried to pull his hand he slipped into the river.
"It is a very deep part of the river and water flows with a lot of pressure," Mr Mutoro stated.
Efforts to retrieve the two bodies were hampered by a heavy downpour that descended on the Mururi village.
The OCPD along with University officials conveyed that search efforts would begin on Monday with divers scheduled to report to the scene.
The River has become renowned for such incidents. In 2016 a Form Two student from Kianyambo Day Secondary School dived into the river while trying to a businessman who was pursuing him.
Erick Murimi, 16, and his two friends were cutting bamboo for a school project when they were confronted by a man armed with a panga who claimed the bamboo belonged to him causing the boys to flee.
[caption caption="A section of River Nyamindi"]
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