Selfie Adventure Ends Tragedy
A 25-year-old man tragically drowned while snapping a selfie with friends at Kimunye Forest, located on Mt. Kenya in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County.
The young man, named John Rimui, was part of a group of over 100 youths from all over the country who had gathered for a weekend getaway organized through a WhatsApp group.
According to his uncle, George Mutura, the family did not know the friends he had traveled with. “We don’t know his friends. They seem to have connected through their WhatsApp group,” Mutura said.
His mother, Veronicah Wanjiru, said the family hails from Ngecha village in Limuru, Kiambu County. “We were informed about the incident by a relative who lives here. It is very painful,” she said tearfully.
Residents near the forest reported hearing cries for help and rushed to the scene. Witnesses said Rimui slipped and was swept away by strong currents as he attempted to take photos by the waterfall.
“He was taking selfies with his colleagues when he slipped. It’s not clear whether he knew how to swim,” said Maxwell Ngugi Njogu, a local resident.
Njogu mentioned that the forest has become a favorite spot for young people from all over the country, who come to soak in the beautiful scenery and snap some great photos.
Later that night, after a long search, Rimui’s body was found and taken to a local mortuary. There are plans in motion to bring his body back to Limuru for burial.
“At least the body has been recovered. Now we can give him a decent send-off in Ngecha,” said his uncle Mutura.
Selfie Adventure Ends Tragedy
