memorial service for 3 siblings killed in crash held
A heavy and somber atmosphere filled the International Christian Centre (ICC) on Mombasa Road this past Friday as family members, close friends, and members of the wider community gathered for a requiem mass to honor three siblings who tragically lost their lives in a devastating road accident earlier this month.
The emotional service brought together mourners from different walks of life, all united in grief and remembrance, as they paid their final respects to Njeri DeLeon, Emmanuel DeLeon, and young Kairo Winkelpeck. The pain of loss was evident on every face inside the packed church, with quiet sobs and tearful embraces reflecting the depth of sorrow felt by those who knew the children and their family.
At the front of the sanctuary, the three caskets were placed side by side, draped in flowers, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of lives cut short far too soon. Clergy members led prayers, hymns, and readings focused on love, faith, and the hope of eternal rest, offering words of comfort to a grieving family struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
The siblings were involved in a fatal crash along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway on January 4, 2026, a road known for heavy traffic and frequent accidents. According to reports, Emmanuel DeLeon and six-year-old Kairo Winkelpeck died instantly at the scene due to the severity of the impact. Sixteen-year-old Njeri DeLeon was rushed to a Nairobi hospital in critical condition, where doctors placed her in a medically induced coma in an effort to save her life. Despite days of intense medical care and prayers from loved ones, she succumbed to her injuries several days later.
The family, which resides in Waterloo, Iowa, in the United States, had traveled to Kenya to spend the holiday season together. What was meant to be a joyful visit filled with family moments and celebration instead turned into an unimaginable nightmare. Their parents, who were also involved in the crash, survived with minor injuries. They have remained in Kenya to oversee funeral arrangements and support one another through their profound grief.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of sympathy and support from both Kenya and the United States. Messages of condolence have flooded social media, with many describing the loss as deeply heartbreaking and unfair. A GoFundMe campaign set up to assist the family during this difficult time has raised over $70,888, with donors expressing solidarity, compassion, and prayers for healing.
During the memorial service, speakers described the loss as “unimaginable,” urging the congregation to continue surrounding the parents and extended family with love, strength, and encouragement in the days ahead. Many spoke of the children’s bright personalities, close bond, and the joy they brought to those around them.
Later today, the bodies of the three siblings will be cremated at the Kariokor Hindu Crematorium, marking a final and deeply emotional farewell. They will be remembered as a loving family trio whose lives, though brief, left a lasting impact on everyone who knew them.
memorial service for 3 siblings killed in crash held
