This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
On the night of November 20, 2019, a tragic car accident occurred at Cheploch Gorge, a popular tourist attraction in Baringo, Kenya. Daniel Chemjor, a 40-year-old television producer, lost his life after his Toyota Premio plunged into the gorge.
Chemjor, who was on paternity leave, had spent the evening wining and dining with a friend, Gideon, at the Big 5 Resort near Cheploch. According to the hotel's manager, Joseph Kipkurui, Chemjor and his friend were jovial and joked the entire evening.
As the night wore on, Gideon left the bar, and Chemjor promised to follow. However, he jokingly said he would overtake Gideon along the way. Barely four minutes later, a loud bang was heard from the bridge, and workers rushed to the scene to find a car had hit the guard rails and plunged into the Kerio River.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner Ahmed Omar said police officers had camped overnight at the scene, as security officials sought assistance to recover the body and car. Omar suggested that Chemjor might have been speeding, citing the flattened guard rails and the mangled vehicle.
The recovery operation was led by local divers and SBI, an Israeli road construction company. The river is between seven and 15 metres deep and infested with crocodiles, making the operation challenging. The body was eventually taken to Kabarnet County Referral Hospital mortuary.
Chemjor's family described him as their pillar, and his father, Simon Kiptegen, broke down at the scene of the crash. He urged the government to construct a barrier along the bridge to prevent accidents.
