Man, 25, drowns while taking selfie at Kimunye forest in Kirinyaga

A 25-year-old man drowned while taking a selfie with friends at Kimunye Forest, Mt. Kenya, in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County.

The deceased, identified as John Rimui, had joined more than 100 other youths from across the country for a weekend getaway organized through a WhatsApp group.

According to his uncle, George Mutura, the family did not know the friends he had traveled with. “We don’t know his friends. They seem to have connected through their WhatsApp group,” Mutura said.

His mother, Veronicah Wanjiru, said the family hails from Ngecha village in Limuru, Kiambu County. “We were informed about the incident by a relative who lives here. It is very painful,” she said tearfully.

Residents near the forest reported hearing cries for help and rushed to the scene. Witnesses said Rimui slipped and was swept away by strong currents as he attempted to take photos by the waterfall.

“He was taking selfies with his colleagues when he slipped. It’s not clear whether he knew how to swim,” said Maxwell Ngugi Njogu, a local resident.

Njogu added that the forest is a popular destination for young people from different parts of the country who visit to enjoy the natural scenery and take photos.

Rimui’s body was retrieved later that night after hours of searching and was taken to a local mortuary. Plans are underway to transport the body to his home in Limuru for burial.

“At least the body has been recovered. Now we can give him a decent send-off in Ngecha,” said his uncle Mutura.