University Student Drowns in Kathita River, Tharaka Nithi County

 

A 19-year-old university student drowned while swimming in the Kathita River in Tharaka South, Tharaka Nithi County.

The deceased, identified as Brian Kibet, a first-year student at Tharaka University, drowned on Saturday, September 19, 2026, while swimming with three friends. According to police, the incident was reported at around 4:43 p.m. by the university's students' president.

Police established that Kibet and his friends had gone to the river to swim when he dived into the water and drowned. Local divers assisted in retrieving his body, and police said it bore no visible injuries.

The scene was documented by investigators before the body was taken to Marimanti Level 4 Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.

**Grade 8 Pupil Drowns in Watamu After Being Swept by Strong Waves**

In a separate incident, a 16-year-old Grade 8 pupil drowned in the Indian Ocean after reportedly being overwhelmed by strong waves while swimming with friends in Watamu, Kilifi County.

The deceased, identified as Vincent Katana Karisa, a pupil at Kanani Primary School, was found dead along the shoreline in the Kanani area on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

According to police, Katana left home at around 10 a.m. with friends before heading to the ocean, where he was reportedly swept away after being overwhelmed by strong waves.

Officers from Watamu Police Station responded after his body was spotted along the shoreline. The scene was documented by DCI Watamu officers and CSI officers from Malindi before the body was taken to Malindi General Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem.