A close-knit Kenyan family from Waterloo, Iowa is enduring profound sorrow after three of their children perished in a horrific vehicle collision during a family vacation in Kenya earlier this month.
The crash, which unfolded on January 4, 2026, on a busy highway near Nairobi, has shattered the DeLeon and Christopher families, leaving the community in collective mourning.
The victims included promising young siblings Emmanuel DeLeon, an eighth-grader at Hoover Middle School known for his bright smile and athletic spirit; Kairu Winkelpleck, a lively first-grader at Royal Legacy Christian Academy; and their older sister Njeri DeLeon, a junior at West High School admired for her leadership and academic excellence.
Emmanuel and Kairu tragically passed away at the scene due to the crash’s severity, while Njeri fought valiantly for her life. Placed in a medically induced coma upon hospitalization, she succumbed to her injuries on January 17, marking the third devastating loss for the family.
The parents, members of the blended DeLeon and Christopher households, sustained injuries that were thankfully non-life-threatening.
They were traveling with the children for what was meant to be a joyful holiday exploring Kenyan culture and landmarks when their vehicle collided head-on with another car.
Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene amid heavy traffic, underscoring the perils of road travel in the region.
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Waterloo’s tight-knit community has responded with overwhelming support. A GoFundMe page titled “Support for Leah, Christopher, and DeLeon Family,” launched shortly after the incident, has surpassed $65,000 toward its $70,000 goal.
Funds are earmarked for medical, funeral arrangements, and travel expenses.
Moments of silence
Local schools—Hoover Middle, Royal Legacy, and West High—held moments of silence and counseling sessions for grieving students and staff.
Faith leaders from the families’ churches have led prayer vigils, emphasizing resilience amid tragedy. “This family has given so much to our community; now it’s our turn to lift them up,” said a school principal.
