Grief as two children drown in pool at hotel

Uasin Gishu, Kenya: Two families in Uasin Gishu County are in mourning after their children drowned in a swimming pool at a hotel in Eldoret town.

The two children, aged 12 and 13, had gone to visit one of the pupils’ brother, who worked at the hotel, at the weekend when the incident occurred.

“They (children) went straight into the changing room and came out wearing swimming costumes and jumped into the water. We assumed they were proficient swimmers going by the level of confidence they displayed,” said a witness.

But, she said, she became concerned when the children stayed under water longer than is usual.

“We were shocked to discover that the children had drowned immediately they jumped into the pool. We called the attendant who rushed to the scene,’’ she said.

Eldoret East OCPD Nelson Taliti said they have launched investigations into the incident. “We have recorded statements from the witnesses and proprietor of the hotel and will commence investigations,’’ he said.

 Kevin Okwara, the proprietor of the hotel, told The Standard that one of the workers had sneaked the children into the swimming pool area.