Popular journalist’s wife dies after falling, drowning in river

A journalist died after drowning in Nanyuki River on Tuesday night.

Rebecca Njoki, the wife of fellow journalist Milton Nyakundi, slipped off from Nanyuki-Meru Highway and fell into the river at about 10:30pm.

According to Laikipia County Police Commander Simon Kipkeu, Njoki, was in company of other three friends and they were heading to Nanyuki town from the Nanyuki Police Station canteen.


Journalist Milton Nyakundi [Facebook]

Susan Wangechi, one of the friends, said the deceased was walking on the highway and fell into the river that had broken its banks following a heavy downpour.

“She miscalculated the footsteps and fell. We shouted asking for help but the river was swollen. I went back to the station to report. Police came but she was nowhere to be seen,” said Wangechi.

The body was recovered the following morning trapped on the river bank about 20 meters downstream.


Locals have raised concerns over the faulty bridge owing to dangers that could occur seeing that one side lacks guard rails.

“We have been asking for reinforcement of this bridge but nothing has been done,” said Anthony Gichuki.

The body was moved to the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem.

A police officer inspects the scene where the journalist fell. [Jacinta Mutura, Standard]