The agonizing wait is over for the family of Samuel Macharia, the Mount Kenya guide who vanished during a hiking expedition. A post-mortem examination conducted at the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital has confirmed that the 34-year-old died of asphyxia caused by high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and hypothermia.

The findings rule out foul play, a theory that had gained traction after Macharia disappeared while leading a group of tourists near Point Lenana. His body was discovered three days later in a crevice, shielded from the wind but frozen by the sub-zero temperatures.

"The Mountain Took Him"

"He didn't fall, and he wasn't attacked," said the family pathologist. "His lungs filled with fluid due to the altitude, and the cold did the rest. He likely sat down to rest and simply drifted away."

The tragedy has sparked a review of safety protocols for porters and guides. While tourists are often well-equipped, guides sometimes brave the elements with inadequate gear. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced mandatory gear checks for all support staff entering the park starting next month.

• A Hero’s End: Macharia is being hailed as a hero. Survivors from his group say he stayed behind to secure a lagging hiker’s bag before disappearing into the mist. He died doing what he loved, protecting his clients until the end.
• Burial Plans: The family has accepted the results and is planning to lay him to rest in his ancestral home in Naro Moru. The mountain community has pledged to educate his two young children, honoring the code of the guides.