The GoFundMe fundraiser set up to support a US-based Kenyan family that lost three children in a tragic road accident in Naivasha has almost reached its target.
As of the latest update, the appeal has raised KSh 8,971,305 ($69,545) toward a $75,000 goal, with more than 940 donations recorded.
Meanwhile, the family has released burial and memorial details for Emmanuel DeLeon, Njeri DeLeon, and Kairu Winkelpleck, whose deaths have devastated relatives and communities in both Kenya and the United States.
A memorial service for the three siblings will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. at the International Christian Centre (ICC), Nairobi,along Mombasa Road.
This will be followed by a funeral service on Saturday, January 24, starting at 7:00 a.m. at Kariokor Crematorium, Nairobi.
Family Holiday Turns Tragic in Naivasha
The three children died following a horrific road accident on January 4, 2026, along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway in Naivasha, during what was meant to be a joyful family vacation in Kenya.
The victims were identified as Emmanuel DeLeon (13), Kairu Winkelpleck (6), and their elder sister Njeri DeLeon (16).
Emmanuel and Kairu died on the spot, while Njeri sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a Nairobi hospital, where she was placed in a medically induced coma. Despite doctors’ efforts, she succumbed to her injuries days later on Friday evening.
The children are the sons and daughter of Wangui Ndirangu, a Kenyan originally from New Jersey and currently residing in Waterloo, Iowa. They are grandchildren of the late Charity Ndirangu and Jim Ndirangu, and nieces and nephews to several relatives in Kenya.
Their deaths have sent shockwaves through Kenyan and American communities connected to the family.
Parents Remain in Kenya as Arrangements Continue
The children’s parents, who survived the crash and were not seriously injured, have remained in Kenya to oversee funeral arrangements.
Family meetings are ongoing daily at the International Christian Centre, Nairobi, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Remembering Three Young Lives
Emmanuel DeLeon, 13, was an eighth-grade student at Hoover Middle School in Waterloo. Teachers and friends remember him as cheerful and uplifting.
“Emmanuel always had a positive attitude and brightened everyone’s day,” said Amanda Anderson-Murty, a school staff member.
His younger brother, Kairu Winkelpleck, was a 6-year-old first-grader at Royal Legacy Christian Academy. Family and friends described him as energetic, loving, and full of life.
Their sister, Njeri DeLeon, 16, was a junior at West High School and had recently joined the school’s cheerleading team. She made her debut in August 2025 at the UNI-Dome.
A former teacher, Glenda Griffin, described Njeri as “sweet, caring, and kindhearted,” adding that she had “the most beautiful smile.”
US Schools and Community Mourn
Schools in Waterloo issued statements mourning the siblings and rallying support for the family.
Hoover Middle School confirmed the deaths of Emmanuel and Kairu in a statement released on January 8, noting that Njeri was then still fighting for her life.
Following Njeri’s passing, tributes continued to pour in from students, teachers, and community members, highlighting the lasting impression the three siblings made despite their young ages.
The school community also helped launch the GoFundMe fundraiser, urging well-wishers to donate or share the link to support the grieving family.
Road Safety Concerns Resurface
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to road safety concerns in Kenya.
According to the latest police data, more than 290 people have been killed in road accidents in the first 21 days of January 2026, an increase compared to the same period last year.
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