Technician drowns in River Thwake while returning to Nairobi

Police are investigating how a 25-year-old man drowned in River Thwake in Kathiani, Machakos County, while travelling back to Nairobi after completing a Wi-Fi repair job in Masii.

The deceased, identified as Barnabas Lucky Baraza, was reported to have drowned on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
According to three of the deceased’s workmates, they worked for Netwood Technologies and had travelled to Masii to repair Wi-Fi services.

After completing the assignment, the team began their journey back to Nairobi. Upon reaching River Thwake,  Baraza reportedly asked the driver to stop so that he could relieve himself.

The driver stopped and Baraza got out of the vehicle. When he took longer than expected to return, his three colleagues left the vehicle to look for him.

They reportedly found his clothes on a stone near the river and, after moving closer, saw him jump into the water. The three men attempted to assist him by cutting sticks to reach him, but he had already drowned. Divers later retrieved his body from the river.

Police processed and photographed the scene before the body was moved to Kathiani Level Four Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination.

Meanwhile, a 10-year-old girl died after a gas cylinder burst into flames at her home in Getumbi Village, Kithimu, Embu West Sub-County.

The fire broke out at about 10pm on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at a home. Police officers visited the scene and documented the incident.

The girl was trapped inside the house and suffered severe burns, with her body reportedly burnt beyond recognition.

Her mother told police that she had briefly left the child inside the house while she went to a nearby shop.

Upon returning, she found neighbours had already put out the fire, but the child had been trapped inside.

The scene was processed and documented by investigators before the remains were removed to Embu Hospital Mortuary pending a postmortem examination.

Police have launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire.