Tragic Incident Claims Life of Mukonyo Village Man
A tragic accident claimed the life of 50-year-old Joseph Wachira early Monday morning when he fell into an unmarked well. The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. as Wachira and his cousin, Munene James, were returning home from a local bar.
According to Munene, the pair had been enjoying their night out when he received distressing news about a goat that had died in his compound. He suggested they check on the animal once they reached home. Upon their arrival, Munene asked Wachira to wait while he fetched a torch. However, he decided to head directly to the location of the deceased goat.
In the darkness, Wachira fell into a 75-foot well that Munene had covered with rotten wood. “After I took my torch, I could not see him; I only heard him crying for help from the well,” Munene recounted, visibly shaken by the events.
Realizing something was wrong, Munene raised an alarm, attracting nearby residents and family members. The Kirinyaga Fire and Disaster team, led by John Kiama, responded quickly and worked for approximately an hour to recover Wachira’s body from the well.
“This is a heartbreaking incident,” Kiama stated. “Munene’s distress was over a dead goat, and now he has lost his cousin.” Following the retrieval, Wachira’s body was taken to Kerugoya Mortuary for further arrangements.
The incident highlights the dangers posed by unmarked wells in the community and emphasizes the need for increased awareness and safety measures regarding such hazards. Community leaders are urged to take action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
By Yvonne Kimutai
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