Drowning in Kenya: Time to Declare a National Disaster and Act Decisively

By Douglas Okatso

Drowning in Kenya: Time to Declare a National Disaster and Act Decisively

It is time for both levels of government in Kenya to urgently declare drowning a national disaster. Lives continue to be lost in preventable incidents across the country, yet the issue has not received the level of attention and coordinated action it deserves. A formal declaration would recognize the seriousness of the problem and open the door to structured, nationwide interventions aimed at saving lives.

There is a pressing need to establish a National Drowning Prevention Unit under the Department of Disaster Management. Such a unit would coordinate policy, data collection, public education, rescue preparedness, and enforcement of safety standards across all counties. At present, efforts to address drowning are scattered, reactive, and largely uncoordinated, leaving communities exposed and unprepared.

Water bodies and, increasingly, swimming pools have become death traps, particularly for school-going children. Reports of drowning incidents during school trips, at residential pools, in rivers, dams, and coastal areas are becoming alarmingly frequent. Many of these tragedies involve children who lack basic swimming skills or water-safety knowledge. In numerous cases, the absence of trained lifeguards, proper supervision, or safety equipment turns recreational spaces into sites of irreversible loss.

The question facing the nation is simple: how many more lives must be lost before drowning is treated as the national emergency it is? Every preventable death represents not only a family tragedy but also a failure of systems meant to protect the public.

A nationwide water-safety and learn-to-swim initiative must become a core public-health priority. These programs should be introduced and enforced from the grassroots to the national level. Schools should integrate swimming and water-safety education into their curricula. Community pools and recreational facilities should be required to meet strict safety standards. Public awareness campaigns should target parents, caregivers, and community leaders, emphasizing supervision, hazard awareness, and rescue readiness.

County governments can play a central role by establishing community swimming programs, training lifeguards, and ensuring that public and private pools comply with safety regulations. At the national level, clear policies, funding, and enforcement mechanisms are needed to ensure consistency and accountability across the country.

The statistics of reported drowning cases tell a troubling story. Behind every number is a life lost, a family grieving, and a community affected. These incidents are not isolated accidents; they are indicators of a broader, systemic problem that demands urgent and coordinated action.

Declaring drowning a national disaster would send a strong message that the country is ready to confront the issue head-on. With the right policies, education, enforcement, and community involvement, many of these deaths can be prevented. The time to act is now.

1. March 2, 2025 — “Park and Chill” dam (Mugutha area), Juja — Kiambu County. Two male university students, ages 21 and 22, drowned while out swimming during a fun day at the popular spot off Thika Road.

2. March 8–9, 2025 — Fun park swimming pool, Kamulu — Nairobi County. A 10-year-old girl drowned during a swimming activity/fun day at a local fun park; the family demanded answers and justice over safety and supervision at the facility.

3. April 22, 2025 — University of Nairobi main campus swimming pool — Nairobi County. Dennis Kamunya (medical student was found dead at the bottom of the pool.

4. June 9, 2025 — Kwa Meru Dam, Engineer Town — Nyandarua County. Three men drowned while desilting/working on the dam;

5. July 2025— Ruiru River — Kiambu County. Shirleen (13) drowned while swimming with cousins and her body was later retrieved.

6. August 13, 2025 — Apartment pool in Nyali — Mombasa County. Two sisters (ages 13 and 8) drowned in the swimming pool just hours after arriving for a family holiday; reports questioned pool safety and supervision.

7. September 3, 2025 — Sony Sugar Company pool (within premises), Awendo — Migori County. A 43-year-old male security guard was found drowned in a pool of water within the company premises after he went missing while on duty.

8. September 7, 2025 — KenGen Olkaria Geothermal Spa, Naivasha — Nakuru County. Dennis Gitonga drowned while celebrating his birthday at the geothermal spa;

9. October 12, 2025 — Pool of stagnant water near Kwa Mwenje Resort (JKIA area) — Nairobi County. A GSU officer (Constable Nahashon Katumo) was found dead in a pool of stagnant water.

10. November 27, 2025 — Dam in Kiandai Village, Ndia — Kirinyaga County. Victor Mwangi (15) and Ryan Njoroge (10) drowned while swimming/fishing with friends; the community and rescue teams later retrieved the bodies.

11. December 10–11, 2025 — Lake Victoria near Remba Island — Homa Bay County. A fishing boat collided with a ship; Fredrick Odhiambo, Pascal Oluoch, and Wickliffe Mino drowned.

12. December 29, 2025 — Lake Victoria near Dho-Goye (Usigu) — Siaya County. A fishing boat capsized in strong winds/rough waters; five fishermen drowned and others were reported missing.

13. January 8, 2026 — Vidazini Beach (Indian Ocean) — Kilifi County. Wright Mbaru Sifa (23) drowned while swimming with cousins after venturing into deeper waters.

14. January 8, 2026 — Karoroha River, Kinangop — Nyandarua County. John Kimani Kangethe (48) slipped while crossing the river using a wooden footbridge and drowned.

15. January 22, 2026 — Tana River (Masinga) — Machakos County. A 17-year-old student drowned while swimming in the river; the body was later recovered and taken to a mortuary.

16. January 11, 2026 — River Sagana, Ndia — Kirinyaga County. A 16-year-old student and a 21-year-old were believed swept away by strong currents while swimming.

17. February 3–4, 2026 — Huruma — Nairobi County. A 7-month-old baby boy drowned in a bucket of water while being bathed.

18. February 3–4, 2026 — Sumuko semi-dam, Eldama Ravine area — Baringo County. A 15-year-old boy was found drowned;

19. February 3–4, 2026 — Kwa Chui Dam, Shakahola/Langobaya (Malindi area) — Kilifi County. Nuru Mwamure (21) was found floating in the dam after reportedly leaving home earlier.

20. February 3–4, 2026 — Seasonal stream, Wundanyi — Taita Taveta County. Fidelia Walegwa (56) drowned while washing clothes.

21. February 3–4, 2026 — Sondu River, Maraboi — Kisumu County. Harisson Magoya (20) was found drowned after being reported missing.
22. On 6 February, 2026, a 4 years old boy drowned at Olive Green Gardens in Ruiru under unclear circumstances while attending school swimming lessons.