Global Red Cross boss mourns volunteer who died during Mbagathi River rescue operation
Secretary General and CEO of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Jagan Chapagain, has conveyed sorrow over the death of a dedicated Kenya Red Cross volunteer, Samuel Wanyonyi Wangila, who lost his life while carrying out a rescue mission in Mbagathi River, Nairobi.
Chapagain described the incident as heartbreaking and spoke about the courage and selflessness that define Red Cross volunteers around the world. He emphasised the importance of recognising the sacrifices made by volunteers who risk their own safety to help others in emergencies.
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In his message, Chapagain also expressed solidarity with the Kenya Red Cross and Wangila’s family, highlighting that volunteers like him are the backbone of humanitarian efforts across the globe.
He urged the international Red Cross and Crescent community to honour Wangila’s memory by continuing the work of providing aid and support to vulnerable communities, especially during disasters.
“Heartbreaking news from Kenya. Samuel Wanyoni Wangila, a dedicated @KenyaRedCross volunteer, lost his life while on duty during the Acqua Rescue Operation along the Mbagathi River in Kenya. On behalf of the @IFRC, I express our profound sadness and extend my deepest condolences to his family and our colleagues at the Kenya Red Cross,” Chapagain stated.
The statement from the IFRC boss comes amid a broader backdrop of heavy rains and flood warnings in Kenya, which have made water bodies such as the Mbagathi River especially dangerous in recent weeks.
Wangila is a veteran aqua rescue expert with more than 15 years of service with the Kenya Red Cross Society. Wangila was part of a team responding to an emergency along the Mbagathi River in the Highrise area of Nairobi. The operation began after a distress call about a young boy struggling in the fast‑moving water following heavy rains that had caused rivers to swell and currents to strengthen.
Despite the rescue team’s swift response, the boy drowned, and Wangila was tragically overcome by the conditions during the operation. The Kenya Red Cross said the exact circumstances of how he died are still under review, but noted that the river’s powerful current and dangerous conditions posed severe challenges to the rescue effort.
Wangila was widely respected within the Kenya Red Cross for his expertise and dependability. In 2025, he received a Special Recognition Award for his outstanding contribution to aqua rescue missions nationwide. Beyond frontline operations, he also trained and mentored fellow volunteers, equipping them with the practical skills and confidence needed to respond effectively to emergencies.
The Kenya Red Cross has paid tribute to Wangila as a committed and selfless volunteer whose legacy will live on through the lives he saved and the rescuers he helped prepare. The organisation extended condolences to his wife, family members, friends, and colleagues, affirming its support during this difficult time.
