Charles Wambua, a local casual laborer and diver, has emerged as a hero in the ongoing efforts to retrieve bodies from an abandoned quarry in Kware, Mukuru kwa Njenga slum.
Despite lacking proper safety gear, Wambua courageously led the retrieval of 13 sacks containing bodies and body parts over the weekend, marking a grim chapter in Nairobi’s recent history.
Wambua, known for his previous involvement in similar retrieval efforts at the quarry, recounted the horrific scenes he encountered.
“When I dived in, I first retrieved the body of a young female cut in half at the waist to fit in the sack,” he revealed in an interview with Citizen TV.
Determined to uncover the truth, he meticulously inspected each sack he retrieved, uncovering more human remains with each discovery.
The catalyst for this grim task came from a woman who approached Wambua and his colleagues, sharing dreams that directed her to the dump site where her missing sister might be found.
Motivated by compassion and duty, Wambua and his team took action, revealing the extent of the tragedy hidden beneath the surface of the quarry.
Local residents have rallied behind Wambua and his fellow volunteers, calling for recognition and support from the government.
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja echoed these sentiments, promising rewards for their bravery.
“We recognize and applaud the young people of Kware who went out of their way and took the lead in the retrieval efforts. Their industry and bravery will not go unrewarded,” Governor Sakaja affirmed in a statement.
