A Kenyan family living in Waterloo, Iowa, United States, is grieving the loss of three children who died in a tragic road accident in Naivasha, Kenya, while on holiday.
Emmanuel DeLeon, 13, and Kairu Winkelpleck, 6, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their 16-year-old sister, Njeri DeLeon, died on Friday, January 16 after being in a medically induced coma at a hospital in Nairobi.
The family had traveled to Kenya for a vacation when the tragic accident occured on January 4, 2026.
The community in Waterloo has rallied around them, with schools and friends expressing their condolences. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with funeral expenses and has already raised over $66,518.
“On January 4th, while on a dream family trip to Kenya, Leah’s family was involved in a devastating road accident. We are heartbroken to share that Emmanuel, an 8th grader at Hoover Middle School, Waterloo, Iowa and his younger brother Kairo passed away at the scene. Their older sister, Njeri, a junior at West High, Waterloo Iowa is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in critical condition at a hospital in Kenya,” the GoFundMe account set up reads in part.
According to a death and funeral announcement doing rounds on social media, the three deceased were children of Wangui Ndirangu.
Meetings are ongoing at International Christian Centre (ICC) Nairobi on Mombasa Road from 5 pm to 7 pm daily.
A memorial service will conducted at ICC Nairobi (Mombasa Road) on Frday, January 23 starting 10 am.
The bodies of the three children will be removed from Umash Funeral Home on Saturday, January24 at 7 am for a funeral ceremony at Kariokor Crematorium.
