This archive report was first published on 29 October 2019.
On a fateful Friday, a joyous wedding celebration at the Neptune Beach Hotel in Diani, Kwale County, turned into a tragic scene as an eight-year-old girl drowned in the hotel's swimming pool.
Shirleen Wanjiku, a Grade Two student, had spent the night at the hotel with her family, who were among the 140 guests booked to attend the wedding.
According to Charity Njoroge, the bride's mother, Shirleen left with other children to the hotel's swimming pool around 11am, while the family was busy with the wedding preparations.
It was not until hotel staff informed them of an accident at the swimming pool that the family rushed to the scene, only to find rescuers trying to resuscitate Shirleen.
Despite their efforts, Shirleen was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
“It was very unfortunate that the happy wedding party had to be plunged into mourning,” said Njoroge.
The incident has left the family, including Shirleen's mother, Rodah Wairimu, who is also a cousin to the bride, in shock.
Ms Wairimu is currently nursing another seven-week-old daughter, Angelina.
When The Standard visited the hotel on Sunday evening, police officers were taking statements from staff and relatives who were still being accommodated there.
Neptune Beach Hotel's Director, Vickram Korla, termed the incident unfortunate, stating that staff had tried to resuscitate Shirleen before calling an ambulance.
The hotel management had also put up notices around the swimming pools warning guests not to swim unsupervised and stating the depth of each section of the pool.
The incident was reported at Diani police Station under OB NO 42/26/10/2019.
