Grief as two brothers drown in dam while swimming in Naivasha

NAIVASHA: Two minors drowned in Ndabibi Dam in Naivasha Monday, bringing to seven the number of people who have drowned in the lakeside town in the last one week.

Grief gripped the village after the two brothers, whose father is the area assistant chief, died while swimming in the dam.

The incident occurred barely a day after two fishermen died while on a fishing expedition in Kasarani village, near Lake Naivasha.

Last week, three fishermen died in the same lake while fishing and the body of one of them is yet to be recovered.

According to a witness, James Kimathi, the two minors were swimming when the incident occurred.

Mr Kimathi said they suspected the old boy aged 13 years was trying to rescue his brother aged eight years, when they both drowned.

“Some boys who saw them dive into the dam alerted residents, who rushed to rescue them but it was too late,” he said.

Naivasha OCPD Titus Munyoki confirmed the incident, saying the bodies had been retrieved and taken to the mortuary.

“Initial investigations indicate the minors were swimming in one of the abandoned dams,” he said.

He expressed concern over the rising cases of drowning in the region, further saying that there was need to address safety measures, mainly around Lake Naivasha.