Popular forex trader David Mwangi, known as King David, is mourning the death of his young son, Prince Mateo Kariuki, who drowned during a family vacation in Mombasa. The incident happened on the morning of Sunday, July 20, while the family was staying at a holiday house.
According to George Gatimu, a close friend of the family, Mateo had been taking swimming lessons in Mombasa and had been using floaters for safety. He was said to be learning fast and gaining confidence in the water.
The morning after one of his lessons, Mateo woke up early and left the room unnoticed. He made his way to the swimming pool by himself. No one was around at the time to stop him or help him. He drowned before anyone realized he was missing.
By the time his parents found out, it was too late.
Gatimu shared the details on Instagram, describing the heartbreak the family is going through. He explained that the family had gone on vacation to give their son a joyful experience, only for it to end in tragedy. Mateo had just celebrated his birthday a few weeks earlier.
He urged the public to keep the family in their prayers and respect their privacy as they mourn. “A mother is grieving the loss of a child she raised and loved. A father is mourning the son he worked hard for, trying to give him the life he never had,” Gatimu wrote.
He added that friends and family are standing by the couple and doing all they can to support them during this painful time. He ended his message with love and a prayer for comfort.
Mateo’s passing has touched many online, with Kenyans sending messages of sympathy and prayer to the family. A video of his recent birthday, where he played joyfully in a bouncing castle, has resurfaced—making the loss even more emotional for those following the story.
The family has requested peace and time to grieve.
By Vivian K.