Where death lurks, criminals rule with reckless abandon

Ol Jorowa gorges at Hell's Gate National Park. [Courtesy]

Over the years, some parts of Nakuru County have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Death lurks in these dangerous areas while some are killing fields and dumping grounds for bodies.

Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha whose main attraction is the Ol-Jorowa Gorges is among leading tourist destinations in the county.

The scenic gorges, however, turn into death traps whenever it rains in the nearby Mt Longonot as flash floods sweep away anything in its path.

In September 2019, six tourists were killed after they were washed away by flash floods alongside their tour guide as they explored the gorge where 2003 film “Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life” was shot.

Eight years ago, seven members of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) died after they were swept away by floods in the gorge.

The gorges were set to be reopened in September but the Ministry of Tourism Principal Secretary Fred Segor said this was suspended to ensure proper safety measures are put in place. 

“We had hoped that the gorge would be opened sooner but Covid-19 pandemic affected the plans. We are now back on track, training the tour guides on weather patterns and experts are looking into the weak points,” said Mr Segor.

During the festive season, KWS rangers are keeping vigil to ensure visitors do not tour the gorges.

“We have strict instructions not to allow visitors inside the gorges because it is dangerous,” said one of the rangers patrolling the park.

River Ndarugu which originates from Njoro and drains into Lake Nakuru is also an area of interest for security agencies.

This month alone, at least two bodies of adults have been retrieved from the shallow waters.

On December 7, Joseph Ndiwa, a local farmer, found the body of a woman floating in the river at a point he intended to connect irrigation equipment.

Identified the bodies

“I first saw a lady’s shoes then two empty bottles of liquor. As I moved further to the river, I spotted the body of a young woman. The police retrieved the body,” said Mr Ndiwa.

On December 8, the body of a man was found in the river at a bridge along the Njoro-Mau Narok road.

Police removed the body to Egerton University mortuary.

Families of the deceased later identified the bodies.

“The woman was identified as 22-year-old Eunice Njeri, a student of Egerton University. The man was identified as 35-year-old Paul Ndirangu. Both have been buried,” said Njoro Sub County Police Commander Jonathan Kisaka.

For Ms Njeri, police ruled out foul play after it was established that she had on several occasions attempted suicide and was battling mental issues.

“It appears that she may have committed suicide. We found anti-depressants in her house and those who knew her said she had a troubled past and attempted suicide several times,” said Mr Kisaka.

Police suspect Ndirangu was murdered. “The post mortem report shows he was hit with a blunt object on the head and strangled before he was dumped into the river. We are giving high priority to the case and connecting all leads to get the killers,” said Kisaka.

In February, a decomposed hand of a human being was found in the river by residents.

“Whether suicide or murder, we are determined to put these incidents under control. At the moment, the water levels in most sections of the river are very low to drown an adult. Chances are high the river might only be a dumping ground,” said Kisaka.

On December 12, three children from the same family drowned in Mukinyai quarry in Molo.

Efforts to save Grace Wairimu 15, Victor Kaniaru 11 and Michael Kiritu 8 who were grade 6, 3 and 1 pupils respectively at Mukinyai Primary School came too late.

“We had sent the children to draw water from the river. On their way back, it appears they stopped by the quarry which is a few feet from the road. They were spotted drowning and by the time help came they were all dead. Am now left with a five-year-old daughter only,” said their father Peter Karuru.

This was the second drowning incident this year which prompted residents to demand closure of the quarry.

“At the beginning of the year, a minor accidentally fell into the quarry and died. The quarry has some deep sections filled up with rain water. Activities have been suspended as we plan to hold a baraza on the safety of the spot,” said Zack Monari, area chief.

Dundori and Menengai Crater are notorious dumping grounds for bodies.

Although residents tour the scenic areas, security agencies warn lone visitors against venturing there for their own safety.

Menengai Crater, which has a rough terrain is preferred dumping ground for criminals who believe that their victims will not be easily located.

On May 5, the body of 80-year-old Githinji Mwathe was found at the base of Menengai Crater. 

In November 2019, the body of 25-year-old Faith Wangui was found at the crater with her left hand and breast chopped off and face disfigured days after she went missing. Her estranged husband who is on the run is suspected to be behind the murder.

In May 2019, a man whom the police estimated to be 60-years-old slid into the crater while cutting grass for livestock.

The then Bahati police boss Jacinta Mwarania said the man succumbed to his injuries before they managed to rescue him in an exercise that took two two days due to unfriendly terrain.

Residents of Njoro in Nakuru County protesting over the Murder of Paul Ndirangu, a popular blogger and activist. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard

Search and rescue

A month earlier, two men who had gone for Easter prayers at a shrine run by the PCEA church near Menengai Forest were reported missing after they took a walk to the crater.

Search and rescue operation which lasted for more than a week was called off and the whereabouts of the two who had traveled from Kitale remains unknown to date.

On June 17, 2018 police who were tracking stolen livestock in Dundori Forest recovered bodies of four men.

In June 2017, then Moyale Police station OCS was abducted from his home in Ngongomo village, Nyandarua County and his body was dumped in the forest. In the same month, the body of a 23-year-old man reported missing from Wanyororo in Bahati was found in the forest.

In February, the burnt bodies of Teresia Wanjiru, 30 and her one-year-old daughter Pendo Wema were found in the forest, a week after they were reported missing from their home in Gilgil.

“We have enhanced patrols along the Dundori road and within the forest which is a hideout for criminals. It has been a notorious holding ground for animals stolen in Bahati. We are working closely with forest rangers at the crater,” said Bahati Police boss Bernard Wamugunda.