Kirinyaga: Boda Boda Rider Drowns In Dam While Showcasing Skills To Win KSh 300

• Kelvin Gitonga drowned while almost reaching the shore of the National Irrigation Authority dam in Kirinyaga county
• The residents and rice farmers led by Tebere Unit leader Alex Nguo have urged the dam's management to fence it to avoid future fatalities
• Gitonga's friend who placed the bet of KSh 300 disappeared moments after learning of the tragic incident

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Kirinyaga - Residents of Maisha Kamili in Ngurubani town and Kamucege village in Mwea constituency are mourning the sudden death of a 25-year-old man.

Kelvin Gitonga, a famous swimmer and boda boda rider in Ngurubani, tragically drowned while attempting to swim across a National Irrigation Authority dam on Sunday, August 18, to win a KSh 300 bet.

According to a report by Citizen Digital, Gitonga’s friend had placed the bet, which the deceased was to win after successfully swimming from one end of the dam to the other. Despite being an experienced swimmer, Gitonga succumbed to the dangerous challenge.

"Kelvin was filled with assurance that he would reach his destination, but just as he neared the shore, an unforeseen event occurred," said a local.

Kirinyaga residents want dam's safety enhanced

The dam, built to support rice farming during the dry season, has now prompted the community to call for safety measures.

Residents and local rice farmers, led by Tebere Unit leader Alex Nguo, are advocating for the dam to be fenced to prevent further accidents. Gitonga’s death is the second fatality at the dam since its construction.

The search for Gitonga's body persisted until late in the night, with the involvement of local divers and police from Wanguru Police Station.

Meanwhile, the friend who placed the bet has disappeared following the incident.

Pregnant woman dies in Kisumu church

In other news, a 29-year-old pregnant woman died under unclear circumstances at the Kanyamedha church in Kisumu.

Florence Akinyi's husband, who was at the scene, has remained unreachable despite her family's efforts.

According to Akinyi's relatives, the church members gave conflicting reasons surrounding the death of the woman.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Kelvin Gitonga died after attempting to swim across National Irrigation Authority dam in Kirinyaga.

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