Tragedy as US-Based Kenyan Family Loses Three Children in Naivasha Crash

Three siblings from Waterloo, Iowa, have died following a road accident on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway in Kenya on 4 January.

The children, identified as 13-year-old Emmanuel DeLeon, his six-year-old brother Kairu Winkelpleck, and their 16-year-old sister Njeri DeLeon, were travelling with their parents when the crash occurred near Naivasha. Emmanuel and Kairu were pronounced dead at the scene. Njeri sustained critical injuries and was taken to a hospital in Nairobi, where she was placed in a medically induced coma. She died several days later.

The siblings were the children of Wangui Ndirangu, who previously lived in New Jersey and now resides in Iowa. The family has strong ties to both the United States and Kenya. Their parents survived the crash without serious injuries and remain in Kenya to manage funeral arrangements.

Family members and friends have been gathering daily at the International Christian Church Centre on Mombasa Road in Nairobi. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, 23 January, at the International Christian Centre, with a cremation ceremony to follow on Saturday morning at Kariokor Crematorium.

Emmanuel was an eighth-grade student at Hoover Middle School in Waterloo. Teachers described him as cheerful and optimistic. Amanda Anderson-Murty, one of his teachers, said he consistently brought positivity to the classroom. Family friends recalled his laughter and friendly nature.

Kairu was a first-grade pupil at Royal Legacy Christian Academy. Relatives described him as energetic and affectionate, noting that he was well known for his joyful personality.

Njeri was a junior at West High School and had recently joined the school’s cheerleading team. She made her first public performance in August 2025 at the UNI-Dome. Former teacher Glenda Griffin described her as kind, caring, and thoughtful, with a strong presence among her peers.

Schools in Waterloo have acknowledged the deaths and offered support to students and staff. Hoover Middle School issued a statement on 8 January confirming the loss of Emmanuel and Kairu and, at the time, noting that Njeri remained in critical condition. Tributes from classmates, teachers, and community members have continued following confirmation of her death.

A fundraising campaign organised through GoFundMe has raised substantial support for the family. By mid-January, more than 870 donations had contributed over $66,000 towards a $70,000 goal to assist with medical, funeral, and travel expenses.

The accident has occurred on a section of highway that has a long history of serious collisions. The Nairobi–Nakuru route remains one of Kenya’s busiest roads and has been the site of repeated safety concerns related to traffic enforcement, road conditions, and driver behaviour.