What began as a joyous New Year outing turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when 16-year-old Stanley Otieno, a Form Two student at Ken Obura Secondary School, drowned in a swimming pool at Sunset Hotel in Kisumu on January 1, 2025.
Stanley’s father, Kennedy Otieno Ongany, had taken him to the hotel for a celebration, but the evening ended in sorrow.
Speaking to The Kenyan Tabloid, Kisumu Central Sub-County Police Commander Peter Mulai confirmed the incident, noting that the father reported his son missing at around 6:00 PM, just as the pool was closing.
“It was reported by Kennedy Otieno Ongany that he went with his son, Stanley Otieno, aged 16 years, for swimming at Sunset Hotel’s pool. According to the father, he could not trace his son when the pool closing time reached,” Mulai stated.
The pool attendant, Samuel Wafula, initiated a search, but efforts proved futile. The distressed father then alerted police officers from the Central Police Station. A team comprising DCI officers and Kenya Coast Guards successfully rushed to the scene and retrieved the boy’s body from the pool later that evening.
“The scene was processed, and the body was moved to Star Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain what exactly happened,” added Mulai.
This tragic incident has cast a shadow over New Year celebrations in Kisumu as authorities urge increased vigilance and safety measures around swimming facilities.
