MACHAKOS: A 58-year-old man from Machakos County drowned in the Athi River near Ol Donyo Sabuk on Sunday after allegedly falling off a bridge during an altercation that followed a collision involving his motorcycle and a private vehicle.

The man was on his way to meet his daughter, who had bought him a mobile phone as a gift.

The deceased was travelling to Makutano Junction along Thika Road to meet his daughter, Josephine Nduka Maitha, who was also travelling from Kitui to Ruiru when the incident occurred.

According to the family, the man was crossing a bridge on his motorcycle, accompanied by a rider, when they were struck by a private vehicle.

The family alleges that the occupants of the vehicle confronted and attacked the two men following the collision.

During the altercation, the 58-year-old reportedly lost his footing and fell off the bridge into the river below.

His daughter, Josephine, said she received the devastating news while still travelling to meet her father.

She said her cousin called her and asked her to turn back, but she initially dismissed the information, believing it was a joke.

“I thought she was joking, but when we got to Makongenishe, she called me again and asked if I had returned to my home. I said no, so she insisted I return as my dad’s body had not been retrieved from the water,” Josephine said.

Despite the warning, Josephine continued towards the scene, where she learnt the full extent of the tragedy.
The family’s ordeal continued as they struggled to retrieve the body from the river.

Daniel Kilonzo, the deceased’s brother, said the family reported the incident at a local police station but were advised to look for divers to assist in recovering the body.

“We already reported to the police station, and they told us to go and find divers, which we did so that they could come later and take the body to the mortuary,” Kilonzo said.

The family subsequently contacted private divers from Kiambu County, who helped in the search and eventually retrieved the body from the river.

The body was later transferred to Molinga Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the alleged confrontation following the collision, remain a matter for further investigation.

For Josephine and her family, the tragedy has turned what was meant to be a joyful reunion into a painful loss. Her father had been travelling to collect a phone she had bought him, but the planned meeting ended in grief.