Karweti falls: The unknown natural retreat in Kiambu

Karweti Falls is located in Githunguri subcounty, Kiambu county, along the Githunguri-Kagwe road and remains relatively unknown.

Located beside a quarry, these falls offer a hidden natural retreat that few have discovered.

Local tourists are a common sight in the area, especially during the weekends. The locals visit the falls daily to enjoy the serene scenery.

Stephen Kago, a miner in the nearby quarry, noted that some residents and foreigners visit the area every month to enjoy the natural beauty at no cost.

“The government should devise a method to collect revenue from the falls, which would in turn boost local revenue for the subcounty," Kago said.

“Hardly a day goes by without adventurers visiting the falls, this could significantly benefit the local area if a fee is charged,” he said.

The falls are positioned in such a way that they are visible from the road, allowing people to appreciate their beauty without necessarily stopping. Drivers and motorists also enjoy the scenic view while driving along the road.

Water-selling companies have also benefited from the falls by installing machines that allow them to collect water from the site quickly and at no cost. Residents have insisted that the county government should charge these companies a fee to support local development.

Although the falls are a natural attraction with unmatched benefits for residents, they can also be hazardous if proper caution is not observed.

There have been several accidents in the past, leading to injuries and sometimes fatalities due to safety negligence and unforeseen dangers.

A year ago, several bodies were retrieved from the falls, including that of a minor who was a student at a local high school.

“The county government should consider constructing a perimeter wall around the falls with a gate to ensure that visitors do not enter the area without supervision and adherence to safety rules," Benjamin Mwangi, a resident said.

There are several uncharted falls and beautiful scenes in Githunguri. 

The county government should collaborate with the national government to ensure that these natural attractions and other tourist sites operate with a fee to enable residents to benefit from them.