Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel have recovered the body of a middle-aged man who drowned at Chepkorio Dam in Ngeria, Uasin Gishu County, along the Eldoret–Nakuru highway.
The recovery, carried out on September 13, 2025, ended a six-day search operation after numerous failed attempts by other agencies and local divers to retrieve the body.
"Earlier attempts by other agencies and local divers had been unsuccessful due to the dam’s 80-foot depth and difficult underwater conditions," KDF said in a statement.
A specialized team from the Kenya Navy Clearance Diving Unit (KN CDU) and the 9th Battalion, Kenya Rifles (9 KR), was deployed with advanced JJ Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) systems that allowed longer dive durations and an extended search range compared to conventional SCUBA gear.
This technology enabled the divers to locate and retrieve the body within a shorter timeframe, adding the remains were handed over to local authorities for further procedures.
KDF said the operation emphasised its professionalism and technical expertise in humanitarian response, while extending condolences to the family of the deceased.
"KDF extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. May they find comfort and strength during this difficult time," it said.
A police report indicated the man drowned on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the dam in Kapseret Constituency.
According to Uasin Gishu police commander Benjamin Mwanthi, the driver drowned while swimming at the dam, where he had gone to wash the school van.
Ngeria ward MCA David Kering had called for the urgent fencing off of the dam to avert such cases.
