Concern as gangsters turn tourist site Thompson Falls into crime spot

By JAMES MUNYEKI

Laikipia County

The famous Thompson Falls is deemed to be one of the main tourists attraction sites in Lakipia County.

Situated in Nyahururu town, the falls attract an average of over 1,000 tourists in a month, according to statistics obtained from the Nyahururu Municipal Council, now under Laikipia County.

But this jewel, which was discovered by Scottish explorer Joseph Thompson in 1883, is now acquiring a dubious reputation of being a hide-out for criminals.

An increasing number of visitors to the site have been losing their valuables to gangsters, with most of the crimes occurring at the downstream side of the famous falls.

Commit suicide

There are also numerous cases of people committing suicide at the falls, which is 275-feet deep.

For 22-year-old Dennis Maina, a recent visit to the site will forever remain etched in his memory, albeit for all the wrong reasons.

Maina and his cousin Neema Wamaitha decided to visit the falls last Wednesday to savour the breath-taking sight when they came face to face with the ugly side of the fall.

Having heard of cases of visitors to the site being attacked, they first consulted with county government staff stationed at the falls, who assured them of safety of the downstream road.

“We decided to walk down the stairs as we took photos of the famous falls. We spent around 30 minutes as we watched the waters touch the ground,” he recalled.

All was well until then, but on their way back up they were accosted by two men armed with knives.

“They immediately grabbed my cousin and ordered me to go up the stream. It is when I resisted that they stabbed me with a knife in the stomach,” he said.

“They wanted to rape her and I screamed for help and this made them to stab me again. One of them searched my pockets and took away Sh700 and two mobile phones before fleeing,” he observed.

Njuguna was rushed to Nyahururu District Hospital by well-wishers where he was treated and discharged.

Former Nyahururu town Deputy Mayor of the town Irene Wachuka said the attacks are usually carried out by a gang operating in the area that calls itself ‘Mashujaa’.

According to residents, the criminals mainly target foreigners, whom they rob of electronic gadgets and cash.

Nyandarua North OCPD Benjamin Onsongo said they were aware of the attacks, adding more officers would be deployed in the area to boost security.

The chairman of the Security Committee at the Laikipia County Assembly Duncan Wachira said the Sh45 million allocated for security would be used to buy patrol cars that will boost police operations in the area.