Kilifi family seeks justice after boy, 6, drowns in hotel swimming pool during Easter celebrations

Easter holiday turned tragic for a family after their 6-year-old son died in a swimming pool at the Sun and Sand Hotel in Kikambala, Kilifi County.

The family of Dylan Waruiru, which is yet to come to terms with the death of their son, claims one of the hotel staff members requested the child to join other kids for swimming pool games, only for the child to drown minutes later.  

The mother claims she initially refused, but after assurances from the staff, she allowed Dylan to join the rest of the children, only for her to be informed that her son had died in the pool minutes later.

“The lady who came to pick up my kid said she had already finished entertaining the kids. My question is, why didn’t she bring the child back to me?” Peninnah Muthoni, Dylan’s mother, said.

“This is an incident that cannot be brushed off — it’s pure negligence,” said the boy’s grandfather, Peter Maina.

His aunt Caroline Wairimu added, “There’s no one attending to the babies at the pool. It’s like they don’t value the lives of children. You just come, pay, and go home.”

Police have launched investigations, with four hotel staff members arrested and released on police bond.

“The case has been taken over by the DCI. Those involved were released on bond,” stated Kilifi South Police Commander Ktabul Kochalle.

The hotel management has declined to comment on the incident, despite having promised to address the issue on Tuesday.