Chakareli village in Weru Ward, Ol’Joro Orok Sub-County, is in mourning following the heartbreaking recovery of the body of a Grade 9 pupil from Chakareli Primary School.
The young boy reportedly drowned in Kibindo Dam during a fishing and swimming expedition.
The body was recovered this morning after intensive search efforts led by local authorities and community members. Chief Officers Mr. John Kariuki (Livestock and Fisheries) and Dr. Pachomius Wambugu (Education and Technical Training) joined residents in the grueling effort, expressing gratitude for the community’s patience after a temporary halt in operations on Tuesday.
The body has since been moved to the J.M. Kariuki Memorial County Referral Hospital funeral home in Ol’Kalou Sub-County.
Nyandarua Governor Dr. Moses N. Badilisha Kiarie coordinated the search alongside the Kenya Red Cross Society. He also ordered immediate psychosocial support for the bereaved family and eyewitnesses and directed repairs to the dam’s perimeter fence, which has been vandalized twice in recent months.
Governor Badilisha has further announced plans for the Red Cross to train local divers across Nyandarua County to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capabilities in rural areas.
The tragedy has sparked fresh concern over dam safety in the region, with calls for stricter monitoring and fencing of such water bodies to prevent future incidents.
