A baptism ceremony in Kilifi’s Kijipwa area turned tragic on Wednesday, August 20, after a young woman died in the Indian Ocean moments after being baptised.

According to police, a pastor had gathered 24 people for the spiritual event at the Pope area. Nearly half of them had already undergone baptism when disaster struck.

Witnesses said 27-year-old Loice Kahindi Charo had just been immersed in water when she began convulsing and struggling to breathe. She was quickly pulled to the shore, but instead of receiving urgent first aid, pastors and church members continued praying over her, believing her condition to be spiritual.

By the time they realised her health was deteriorating, it was too late. She was rushed to Vipingo Health Facility, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. Police have launched investigations, with the body taken to the mortuary for postmortem.

In Nairobi’s Lindi area, a woman died in a late-night fire that swept through her home in Kibera slums.

Police said the blaze broke out on Wednesday night, engulfing the house. The woman managed to rescue her child but was overcome by thick smoke. She later died upon arrival at a hospital.

Her husband, who was away at the time, returned home only to be met with the heartbreaking news. The cause of the fire is yet to be established.

Meanwhile, police in Nairobi are investigating two mysterious deaths reported on Wednesday.

In Westlands, the body of 40-year-old Gabriel Omondi was discovered lying along Back Street Lane near Unga House, hours after his death.

Separately, in Donholm along Outering Road, the body of an unidentified man, believed to be about 30 years old, was also found. Both bodies were moved to the mortuary pending autopsies as police probe the circumstances.