Man's graduation celebrations cut short after he drowned in a swimming pool

It was a sad ending for a family in Nakuru when the graduation celebrations of their son were cut short by his death.

27-year-old Simon Mbugua who had just graduated with a diploma from the Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies drowned in the swimming pool at Pilgrims Getawa Hotel, Ngata on December 13.

Mr. Mbugua was swimming with seven of his friends when the incident occurred. Another friend also died in the process as three of them went to the deep end and were overwhelmed before drowning.

He was among those who graduated from the institution on December 12 during the 13th Graduation ceremony.

Giving details of the happening, a friend Josiah Muriuki said that they heard screams from two of the three who had gone to the deep end. “We heard screams from two of the three and rushed there. We saved one and two drowned,” a sad Josiah explained.

Mr. Mbugua drowned during his graduation party [COURTESY]

He further said the attempts to save his friends were futile since there was neither equipment nor even a lifeguard at the scene. “We retrieved the bodies of the two using brooms after several attempts,” he concluded.

Mbugua’s father, Mr. James Kanyutu expressed his sorrow claiming that his family had used a lot of resources to educate him and were looking forward to celebrating with him.

“I have struggled a lot to see him graduate and now, even before the family can enjoy the fruits, he has gone,” he said.

The family accused the hotel of having undermanaged amenities and facilities as they demanded justice for the two lives lost. “We demand justice for our sons. How can such a big hotel lack lifeguards?” Mbugua’s uncle Mr. Charles Warue was heard saying.