A family in Kisii is mourning the tragic death of their only son, Maxwell Ombui, who drowned under unclear circumstances during his 20th birthday celebration.
Maxwell, a first-year Education student at Lukenya University, had travelled to Voi to mark the occasion with friends.
The celebration turned tragic when he drowned in the hotel’s swimming pool. Police quickly cordoned off the area to begin investigations.
An autopsy later revealed that Maxwell choked to death. However, the events leading to the incident remain unclear, leaving the family devastated and demanding answers.
His sister, Faith Meshack, questioned why no lifeguards were present to intervene. “Why were there no lifeguards to save him during the incident?” she asked, pointing to possible negligence by the hotel.
The family is also demanding CCTV footage from the hotel to dispel fears of a possible cover-up.
Hotel management has reportedly termed the drowning as accidental and pledged to cooperate with authorities, though it has yet to issue a public statement.
Local authorities have launched investigations to determine if there was negligence or failure in safety protocols.
Maxwell’s death has renewed concerns over safety standards in recreational facilities and the duty of hotels to protect guests.
For his grieving family, justice means accountability and truth — and honouring the memory of a young man whose life and dreams were cut short on the day he celebrated another year.
