Makueni: Lukenya University first-year student drowns at Tsavo Inn on his birthday

A Lukenya University student lost his life during his birthday celebration, leaving unanswered questions from his family members His family...

• A Lukenya University student lost his life during his birthday celebration, leaving unanswered questions from his family members
• His family's spokesperson narrated the events which took place before and after his death and urged investigators to swiftly intervene
• An autopsy examination on his body revealed the cause of his death amid his family's call for justice

Nancy Odindo, a Best for you.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Makueni: A 20-year-old student from Lukenya University has tragically drowned while swimming at Tsavo Inn in Mtito Andei during his birthday celebration.

Ben Maxwell Ombui, an education student and the last-born in his family, had reportedly paid for food and swimming services before accessing the facility.

What happened after Ben Maxwell's death?

According to family spokesperson Emmanuel Mwangi, the hotel owner did not notify authorities but instead transported the body to a hospital in his personal vehicle.

Upon arrival, medical staff confirmed that Maxwell had already died.

"He came and paid for the services. The owner of the hotel, to our surprise did not call the police to pick the body. He took his personal car, and ferried the student to this hospital. Upon arrival, he was informed that he had brought in a dead person," Emmanuel Mwangi, the family spokesperson, said.

The family has called on the police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to take swift action.

"What are the police bosses and the DCI doing to ensure justice for the student. The owner of the hotel has not been arrested and the hotel is operating as usual," he added.

The family, based in Bobasi Constituency, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the hotel and questioned the absence of lifeguards at the swimming area.

“We really don't know what happened. But why were there not lifeguards to save him? What we really need is justice for our brother,” said Maxwell’s sister, Vera Meshack.

However, an autopsy conducted at the Mtito Andei morgue revealed that the cause of death was drowning.

Pwani University student dies in swimming tragedy

In other tragic news, Evans Kiplang’at, a fourth-year student at Pwani University, tragically died while swimming just weeks before his scheduled graduation.

The university confirmed his death in an official notice, expressing condolences to his family, friends, and classmates.

Kiplang’at had completed his studies and was awaiting graduation when the incident occurred.

The student leadership urged peers to observe safety guidelines at the beach, citing warnings from lifeguards about swimming in dangerous tides.

CUEA student dies in tragic road accident

In other news, Macine Cheptoo, a teacher trainee at the Catholic University of East Africa, tragically died just days before her graduation.

She was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road, and the driver fled the scene.

Cheptoo was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Her untimely death has left her family and university community in deep mourning, with many expressing sorrow that she passed away before witnessing her milestone achievement.