Machakos lodge denies responsibility in ziplining accident that broke woman's back

The Last Village Lodge in Machakos County has issued a statement distancing itself from responsibility for a ziplining accident that allegedly left Ruth Moraa, a former trainee at the facility, with a broken spine.

The incident, which occurred two years ago, has resurfaced following renewed social media posts by Moraa and her family accusing the lodge of negligence.

In its response to the repeated posts, the lodge stated that the accident occurred when Moraa and another individual accessed the zipline without authorisation.

In a statement dated 25 November 2025, The Last Village Lodge, which operates the country's second-longest zipline, reaffirmed its "impeccable safety record with no customer accidents," emphasising that safety remains an absolute priority, supported by strict operational protocols.

According to the management, the pair allegedly used the facility outside standard procedures and without observing mandatory safety guidelines.

The lodge termed the episode "an isolated case outside their standard procedures," insisting that such incidents are preventable under normal operating conditions and that this one resulted from an exceptional breach by the individuals involved, not from any failure in the lodge's safety systems.

Following the accident, the lodge says Moraa was rushed to a nearby Level 4 hospital in Kangundo for emergency treatment.

Doctors reportedly required the patient's consent for medical intervention, but her family is said to have objected at the time, something the lodge argues limited what it could do further.

The matter later escalated into a legal dispute after Moraa filed a case at the High Court in Machakos.

The court subsequently referred the matter to the Employment and Labour Relations Court, where it remains pending.

The lodge now says it cannot comment further, citing the need to respect the ongoing legal process.

Despite the renewed backlash online, the lodge has reassured the public that its zipline remains safe, properly maintained, and operated by trained staff.

Management maintains that safety is, and will continue to be, the top priority.

Ziplining is a high-adrenaline outdoor activity that involves riding a steel cable on a protective seat or harness between two elevated points, often over scenic valleys.

To excel as a Zipline Guide, one requires a strong command of safety procedures, physical fitness, and experience in outdoor recreation or adventure sports.