Watamu, Malindi./FILE
An American tourist, 69, died after being overwhelmed by strong ocean tides while hiking on an island off the coast of Watamu in Kilifi County.
The deceased was identified as Tony Mark Anderson, a United States citizen, police said.
According to police, the incident occurred on Monday when Anderson and a Kenyan companion were hiking on an island near Seven Island Beach in the Indian Ocean.
As the pair attempted to return to the mainland after the tide began rising, Anderson was overwhelmed by the strong currents.
His companion tried to rescue him but was unable to do so because of the force of the water.
The two were eventually rescued by boat and brought back to the mainland, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered before Anderson was rushed to Watamu Reef Hospital for emergency treatment.
He was later referred to Watamu Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police officers who responded to the incident established that Anderson had travelled to Kenya with his wife and two children on July 11, 2026, for a holiday.
His body, which had no visible external injuries, was moved from Watamu Hospital to Star Mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is scheduled.
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) officers from Malindi documented the scene, while police said investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Preliminary findings indicate that the death was caused by drowning after the victim was overwhelmed by strong tidal currents.
His family was informed of the tragedy.
In a separate incident, a 25-year-old construction worker died after falling from the third floor of a building under construction in the Koilel area of Ainabkoi Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.
The deceased was identified as Brian Wekesa Wanyonyi, who was employed as a breaker machine operator.
According to police, the accident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on Monday while Wanyonyi was using a ladder to access the third floor to remove an unwanted concrete beam.
Investigators said he slipped from the ladder and fell to the ground, sustaining severe head injuries as well as fractures to his left arm and left foot.
He was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), where he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at about 3:30 p.m.
Police officers visited and documented the scene.
The body was moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Police have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal workplace accident.
