Dam party: Nairobians trooping to booze near Ruiru dam

You can easily mistake this for some swanky car wash extravaganza. It’s not.

These are moneyed Nairobians – and other fun loving Kenyans having some fun.

Both old and young often congregate here with their own booze, cigarettes, and binge oblivious of any lurking danger.

It’s a popular meeting spot for revellers – away from the prying eyes of the capital. 

A spot check by Wananchi Reporting found that the isolated spot near the dam, is fast becoming popular during weekends and holidays.  

It’s the ‘unofficial’ drinking base for most Kenyans living in Nairobi, Ruiru, Kiambu and its environs.

The open space just at the front of the dam has been turned into an open bar where drinkers converge to booze and smoke.

The dozen cars are often parked precariously at the edge of the dam, facing millions of litres of water.

Then there are those revellers who after irrigating their throats, do things that should only be done within the walls of a decent bedroom.

Then there are those who will crown the fun by jumping into the dam for a quick swim.

Residents of the area are concerned. That this could be a catastrophe in waiting.

“Some of the revellers who come here are quite reckless. Though no major incident has been reported so far, we fear an accident could happen, anytime,” Jane Muthoni, a resident of the area told Wananchi Reporting.

“There are no life savers in case one drowns, and there is the danger of one driving into the reservoir,” said Muthoni.

The trend started during the Covid-19 lockdown when entertainment spots were closed – prompting Kenyans to become creative.

“They started as a small group and in no time, there were over 30 motorists parking here on weekends and holidays,” a security guard in a nearby establishment revealed.

Adding: “Each group makes merry in its own way. Police chased them away sometime ago, but they still found their way back. Now it has become a meeting point for revellers.”

According to residents, high school kids often visit the spot in the guise of taking photos and Tik-Tok video, only to meet to drink and smoke weed.

Early this year two students drowned in the damn while shooting a music video.

The spot where the students drowned has since been closed – and no one is allowed to access it.

“This area is a private property. You are trespassing,” a watchman guarding the area told us before revealing concerns of the landowners after the two students died there.

“We don’t want more incidents of death here. You can see how people are partying irresponsibly on that end,” said the guard, pointing to a team of revellers at the bank of the dam.

The management of Titanic Beach Resort (Kariani), an entertainment facility in the area told Wananchi Reporting that it has been working closely with officers from Juja and Mugutha on the matter.

"I am concerned. That is why we have guards manning certain areas of the dam to ensure our customers are safe,"

"But ours is a very safe spot, and we have water games like jet skis, and many others. Here fun lovers can safely enjoy boat rides and many other games," said a manager at the Titanic Beach Resort. 

The dam once used by the colonialists to farm coffee has been turned into a recreational ground.