A family holiday in Nyali, Mombasa, turned tragic after two sisters, aged 13 and 9, drowned in an apartment swimming pool, prompting police to launch a safety crackdown on residential complexes.
According to Mombasa County Police Commander, Peter Kimani, the incident happened when the children were swimming at the pool without a lifeguard present.
The police boss stated that the family arrived at Mombasa around 4 am and checked into an apartment located along Mt Kenya Road, Mombasa.
He reported that the tragic incident happened in the afternoon after the children's father left the apartment with three of his children to buy lunch, leaving the rest under the care of their mother. It was during this time that the two girls decided to go swimming in the apartment pool.
“It was during this time that the two girls decided to go swimming in the apartment pool, where they unfortunately drowned,” Kimani said.
According to the report, the mother made a distress call to her husband while he was at a nearby hotel, informing him of the incident.
He rushed back to the apartment, only to find that the girls had already been taken to Gertrude’s Hospital in Mombasa, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
The apartment’s pool reportedly had no visible depth markings, raising concerns about the safety measures in place at such facilities.
Authorities have since warned all complexes with swimming pools to ensure trained lifeguards are on duty and that clear depth warnings are displayed to prevent similar tragedies.
The grieving family has accused the apartment management of gross negligence, saying the pool was left unsupervised despite being accessible to children.
The police have said that they will be inspecting pools across the county to ensure that they comply with safety regulations, particularly during the holiday season, when many families flock to the coast for their holidays.
How to Keep Your Children Safe During Vacations
Experts advise parents to remain vigilant during family trips, particularly around water. Key safety tips include:
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Always supervise children when they are swimming, even in shallow water
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Choose pools and beaches with lifeguards on duty
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Ensure children understand pool rules and can identify depth markers
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Provide swimming lessons and basic water safety training
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Use life jackets for younger children or inexperienced swimmers
Authorities have reminded holidaymakers that while coastal getaways offer fun and relaxation, safety must remain a priority to prevent such devastating losses.
