Karatina University student drowns in Ragati Falls, Mathira

Rescue team searching for the student who drowned on Sunday evening.

By Lydiah Nyawira

Nyeri, Kenya: Local rescue divers spent the better part of Monday searching for the body of a Karatina University student who drowned on Sunday evening in Ragati Falls, Mathira Constituency.

The first year Human Resource student identified as Joshua Mutiso, 19, allegedly went to the river with four friends to take photos at the falls when the incident occurred.

The scene was crowded as villagers milled around the falls precariously peering at divers as they searched for the missing boy.

According to one of the residents, Winnie Nyambura, a neighbour who came to fetch water at the river found two students drowning and jumped in and saved one of them.

“When he got one of the boys to the river bank he tried to look for the other but was unable to find him, he raised the alarm and we came to help him,” Njeri said.

Ken Kariuki, the coordinator of the divers said the incident happened at around 6pm and it was difficult to conduct a proper search in the dark.

“We came here today morning and started the search but we have been unable to locate him,” Kariuki explained.