The Gursalal Waterfall in Eldama Ravine that has claimed dozens of lives over the years.
The Gursalal Waterfall in Baringo County, with its gushing waters cascading down a cliff into a rocky gorge as they flow into the Perkerra River on the outskirts of Eldama Ravine Town, is a captivating adventure spot for nature lovers.
However, there are disturbing and sad stories of lives cut short by suicide at the Gursalal waterfall—stories to which residents of the neighbouring villages of Shauri Yako, Kisarget and Shabaab have become accustomed.
The approximately 20-metre-deep waterfall has claimed more than 50 lives through suicides over the years, according to locals. Most of the victims jump off the cliff to their death.
The most recent incident occurred three weeks ago when the body of 26-year-old man Fredrick Kiptui was retrieved from the waterfall five days after he went missing—an incident police and family linked to a possible suicide resulting from betting frustrations.
Locals say some victims come from far away to end their lives at the waterfall, making it difficult to trace their relatives. Last year, the body of an unidentified middle-aged man was retrieved from the area.
“We have had so many cases of unknown people from far places coming to die by suicide here. One of the bodies recovered here last year was not identified.”
James Maina, a resident of Shauri Yako Village in Eldama Ravine, on April 7, 2025 points to where the body of a man was recently retrieved at the Gursalal Waterfall.
Other incidents, locals said, involve people who were killed and their bodies dumped into the waterfall or river.
In a previous interview, Senior Chief Pius Lebelio from Eldama Ravine described the waterfall as a “home of demons”.
Deep gorge
The word ‘Gursalal’, meaning a deep gorge or valley, comes from the minority Nubian community that settled in the area.
Accessing the waterfall is not a walk in the park. One must descend the steep, bushy and rocky gorge using a narrow footpath to catch a glimpse of the picturesque cascading waters flowing into the Perkerra River.
Now and then, bodies are retrieved from the river, most of them suspected suicide cases.
For the last four decades that James Maina has lived in the Shauri Yako informal settlement, he has witnessed many bodies being retrieved from the water.
“We have lost count of bodies that have been recovered in this waterfall. Some are children who fall accidentally, while most are people who die by suicide,” he told Nation.Africa in an interview.
Francis Njau, a youth who lives close to the waterfall, told Nation.Africa, “Some are people from here, while others come from far away. For the four decades I have lived here, I have seen more than 50 bodies recovered.”
Francis Njau, James Mwai and James Maina on April 7, 2025 during an interview at the Gursalal Waterfall in Eldama Ravine.
The area around the waterfall is always a beehive of activity, as Nation.Africa discovered on Sunday afternoon. Dozens of men and women were seated a few metres from the waterfall when the team arrived.
On any given day, some people wash clothes or bathe on the banks of the Perkerra River, while others who abuse drugs have turned the area into a hideout.
Locals believe the waterfall’s location is one reason why many find it easy to die by suicide there.
The adjacent villages and a footpath connecting several areas make it hard to suspect anyone out on a suicide mission, as the same path also leads to their homes.
“The thick vegetation surrounding it has also made it difficult for locals to spot anyone with an ill motive,” a resident told Nation.Africa.
Residents also recall an incident in which a schoolgirl, who had been suspended from a school in Eldama Ravine, jumped to her death from the cliff at the waterfall.
It is for this reason that locals are urging the Baringo County Government to consider fencing off the waterfall, terming it a hazard.
According to Mr Njau, most of the bodies retrieved are of men—mostly young.
“No year passes without a couple of incidents; it is that bad. The county government should just fence off this area and generate revenue from it because it can be a good tourist attraction site if well tapped,” said Mr Njau.
Locals say retrieving bodies is difficult because victims fall into the deep part of the waterfall, where rescuers cannot access during search operations.
“We are forced to wait until bodies float to the surface, which is not possible during the rainy season when water levels rise and the bodies are swept downstream. Some, including that of a pre-primary pupil, are yet to be recovered, years on,” Mr Njau said.
Jacinta Wangeci, a resident of Huruma Village in Eldama Ravine, on April 6, 2025 during an interview at the Gursalal Waterfall.
Ms Jacinta Wangeci, who has lived in Huruma Village for the past 18 years, says, “I have lived here since 2007, and I have witnessed more than 20 bodies recovered from the waterfall.”
“It is also very dangerous to leave children unattended because they may play along the swollen river just adjacent to our homes. Two children were swept away (by the water).” she added.
Eldama Ravine Sub-location Assistant Chief Suleiman Omar confirmed that several suicide cases have been reported at the waterfall and more than five bodies have been recovered in the five years he has served in the area.
“It is saddening that when people face challenges in life, they go and plunge into the waterfall, with most cases being men. Those living within the area are cautious because the waterfall is along the road. The county government should consider fencing off the area to minimise such cases,” said Mr Omar.
Eldama Ravine Sub-Location Assistant Chief Suleiman Omar during an interview on April 6, 2025.
“Last July, we recovered the body of a middle-aged man who was not identified. The body lay at the Eldama Ravine Hospital morgue for more than six months before the facility was forced to dispose of it following a court order,” said the assistant chief.
In the past, Chief Omar said, locals brewed illegal alcohol, including chang’aa, at the waterfall, and livestock thieves slaughtered stolen animals there because it was difficult for authorities to access the area. However, security operations eventually cleared them out.
