Star illustrationsPolice in Kirinyaga County are investigating the death of a 16-year-old girl who drowned in Nyamindi River.
The incident was reported at Wang’uru Police Station under OB number 19/06/2025 at 9:30 am.
A resident of Kimbimbi village in Nyangati Sub-location reported that her daughter, Joy Njeri, had gone missing on June 15 at around 3:00 pm.
It was later established that Joy went swimming in Nyamindi River and drowned.
Police officers and detectives from DCI Mwea East visited the scene at Katitika Village.
They found Joy’s body floating in the river. The body was retrieved with no visible injuries.
It was taken to Kibugi Mortuary awaiting autopsy.
How to reduce deaths caused by drowning
WHO says more than 7.2 million people, mainly children, could die by drowning by the year 2050 if current trends continue.
The health organisation recommends a series of community-based actions for drowning prevention.
These include the installation of barriers to prevent child access to water, provision of safe places away from water for preschool children, teaching school-aged children basic swimming water safety and safe rescue skills and training people in rescue and resuscitation.
Others include strengthening public awareness of drowning, setting and enforcing safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations, and improving flood risk management.
The organisation said 73 per cent of countries have search and rescue services, and a further 73 per cent implement community-based flood risk mitigation programmes.
If someone is drowning and you happen to drag them out of the water, here are some tips.
You should call for help, move the person, and check to see if they are unconscious. If they don't respond, place them on their back on a firm surface and start CPR.
