Kirinyaga residents call for better safety measures after boy, 7, drowns in dam at Ng’othi rice farm

The boy, identified as Emmanuel Macharia, drowned on Wednesday evening in dam located within the Ng’othi rice fields. He is reported to have been chasing birds away from the family’s rice farm when he slipped and fell into the dam.

His father, Francis Munene, said the family realised Emmanuel was missing after he failed to return home around 6:30 p.m., prompting a search by villagers.

“We live over three kilometres from the farm. When I got home and he wasn’t there, I raised the alarm. We suspected he may have fallen into the swamp,” Munene said.

On Thursday, residents, led by Pastor Mutugi and Josphat Kariuki, pumped water from the dam for several hours before recovering the boy’s body at around 11 a.m.

Kariuki noted that the dam, which was dug years ago during tomato farming activities, has become increasingly hazardous due to its depth and its location in the middle of rice paddies.

“It was extremely risky during the retrieval. This dam has become a death trap,” he said.

The tragedy has reignited long-standing frustrations among villagers, who say they have repeatedly warned farm owners and local authorities about the dangers posed by such open water reservoirs.

“We have complained many times, but nothing has been done. These dams must be fenced off to prevent more deaths,” Kariuki added.

The family is still mourning the loss of Emmanuel, a pupil at Kianjogu Primary School.

“I can’t believe my son is gone,” his father said tearfully.

The body has since been moved to the mortuary, where it awaits a postmortem. Meanwhile, residents are urging county officials to act swiftly to avert similar tragedies during the busy rice harvest season.