The operation was supported by aerial surveillance and involved experienced rangersThe Kenya Wildlife Service has confirmed the death of a mountain guide who went missing on Mt Kenya late last year, bringing a weeks-long, multi-agency search and rescue operation to a tragic close. In a statement issued on Saturday, KWS said the body of Samuel Macharia Wanjohi was located on January 9 in Hinde Valley, at an altitude of approximately 4,300 metres above sea level, within Mt Kenya National Park. KWS worked in close coordination with the National Police Service and received support from experienced mountain guides and porters, including members of Wanjohi’s family and the wider Mt Kenya mountain community. According to the agency, search teams conducted extensive ground operations across several high-altitude zones, including Shipton Camp, Austrian Hut, Mackinder’s Valley, Sendeyo, Hinde Valley, Mintos, the Timau Route and surrounding areas. Mt Kenya National Park is a major destination for local and international climbers, with porters and guides forming a critical part of its tourism ecosystem.

Source: The Star January 10, 2026 13:57 UTC