Trans Nzoia family seeks justice for kin who drowned at local hotel swimming pool

A family in Trans-Nzoia County is seeking justice for their kin who drowned in a swimming pool at a resort club.

Amos Juma Mamai, 28, died under unclear circumstances at Khwesa Resort in Kiminini Township Thursday last week.

The father of one was a tout in Kiminini.

An eyewitness who declined to be named said Juma arrived at the resort and was allowed access to the swimming pool after paying Sh200.

The source said when he realised Juma was not surfacing after about  five minutes he alerted the manager who entered the water and pulled him out.

"The deceased arrived at the facility and paid some money before he was allowed to swim. He jumped into the water but when he took about five minutes inside the water I alerted the manager who rushed and pulled him out before giving him first aid,’’ the eyewitness told The Standard.

He continued, "The manager called  for an ambulance  which carried away the body before even alerting police and the family.’’

The resort's owner  John Wambaya, however, denies the allegations.

Wambaya instead said Juma forced his way to the swimming pool.

"Our staff tried to restrain the deceased from accessing the facility but he forced his way in and jumped into the water. We suspect his intention was to commit suicide,’’ Wambaya told The Standard.

He dismissed claims that the management was responsible for the man’s death.

"It is pure lies that we are to blame for Juma’s death. The man had his own issues and wanted to end his life and to sympathise with the family I have resolved to foot the funeral costs," Wambaya added.

But the family said they read mischief in the death of their kin and asked police to dig deeper into circumstances surrounding the incident.

Juma’s elder sister Wilbroda Omanga’ta disputed the suicide theory and claims that her brother was drunk when he went swimming.

"Our brother was called by a friend who bought him a cup of tea at Kiminini center before he returned home and told his wife Veronica that a friend had organised for a party at a local hotel and requested her to join him but the latter declined,’’ said Wilbroda.

She said when Juma’s wife refused to attend the party he prepared his two-year-old son and left home.

Wilbroda added it was not clear how Juma abandoned his friend and walked to the resort where he met his death.

"The concern of the family is how the management called an ambulance to collect the body of my brother without informing the police or us. We want to know the truth surrounding his death because there is a plot to cover up what caused his death,’’ said Wilbroda.

Acting County Commander Gerald Barasa said crime officials had taken up the matter and are investigating circumstances that led to the death of Juma.

"The matter is being handled by the Kiminini Criminals Investigation Officer DCIO. We are probing how Juma met his death and several people have recorded statements,’’ Barasa said.

A postmortem is expected to be conducted today.