Pain as Kenyan-American Mum Loses All 3 Children in Tragic Gilgil Road Crash During Holiday Visit

Photo/Courtesy 

A Kenyan-American family has been thrown into deep mourning following a horrific road accident near Gilgil that claimed the lives of three siblings who were visiting Kenya for the holidays.

The tragic incident involved Ms Wangui, a Kenyan based in Iowa, United States, who had travelled to the country in December together with her husband and children to spend time with family and support a children’s home in Bungoma. 

Relatives say Wangui had been actively involved in charitable work in the area for years and frequently returned to Kenya for that purpose.

On Sunday, January 4, the family hired a public service vehicle (PSV) to travel from Bungoma to Nairobi ahead of their planned return to the US on January 7. Wangui and her husband were seated directly behind the driver, while the three children sat at the back of the vehicle.

The accident occurred close to midnight near Gilgil when a trailer, which was overtaking another vehicle, veered into their lane, almost causing a head-on collision. 

In an attempt to avoid the impact, the PSV driver swerved off the road. However, the trailer struck the middle section of the vehicle, causing it to roll several times.

One of the children, Emmanuel, who was set to turn 14 in March, died instantly at the scene.

His younger siblings sustained critical injuries. Kairo, who was to celebrate his seventh birthday in May, suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Nakuru Women’s Hospital, where he was placed on life support. Despite medical intervention, he later died.

Their sister, Njeri, who was to turn 17 in March, was transferred to Nairobi Hospital the following morning. 

She underwent two surgeries, including a seven-hour operation, as doctors battled swelling in her brain. She was placed in an induced coma but passed away several days later.

All three children died within a span of 12 days.

Burial arrangements for the two boys were initially delayed as the family focused on Njeri’s treatment. Following her death, the family resolved to cremate all three children. 

Obituary in a local daily 

A memorial and funeral service will be held at the International Christian Centre (ICC) along Mombasa Road, after which the cremation will take place at Kariokor Crematorium.

The children’s biological father, Mr Darwin DeLeon, travelled to Kenya shortly after the accident and will join the family in laying the children to rest. 

Njeri and Emmanuel were from Wangui’s first marriage to DeLeon, while Kairo was born from her second marriage to Christopher Winkelpleck, who survived the crash.

Relatives describe the loss as devastating, noting that Wangui lost all her children during a visit meant to support other vulnerable children in Kenya.