The Nanyuki creative community is mourning the sudden death of popular influencer and fitness enthusiast Palmer Pato, whose real name was Patrick Muriithi.
Pato reportedly drowned on Monday, September 21, 2026, only hours before he was scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom after securing a new opportunity with the Royal Navy.
According to reports shared by people who knew him, the Nanyuki-based influencer was exercising at a swimming pool when he drowned.
Influencer Kennie Balo reportedly said Pato was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The circumstances surrounding his death have left friends, followers and members of the Nanyuki community struggling to come to terms with the loss, particularly because Pato was reportedly preparing to leave the country the following day.
Pato was preparing for a new life in the UK
Pato’s death came at a time when his life appeared to be entering a new phase.
Reports indicate that he had secured an opportunity to join the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom and was preparing for his journey abroad.
For his friends and followers, the planned trip represented more than an overseas journey.
It was reportedly the beginning of a new career chapter for a young man who had built a reputation in Nanyuki through fitness, social media and community activities.
His death therefore came as a particularly painful shock to those who had been aware of his plans.
Social media personality Makena was among those who mourned him, noting that Pato was expected to travel to the UK before the tragedy occurred.
Nanyuki creative fraternity mourns
Pato’s influence extended beyond his online presence.
He was also associated with Team Zoezi in Nanyuki, where he participated in activities alongside other young people in the town.
MC Josee described him as a vibrant and energetic young man who cared about his community.
In a tribute shared after his death, Josee recalled their time together as members of Nanyuki Team Zoezi and mourned the loss of someone he described as a brother and colleague.
Nanyuki Youths TV also paid tribute to Pato, describing him as a friend, supporter and someone who had shown considerable love for the platform and its work in the community.
The messages reflected the impact Pato had made among people who interacted with him both online and in person.
Friends left heartbroken by sudden death
Tributes quickly began appearing online following news of his death.
Among those mourning him was Bianca Shiku, who identified Pato as her cousin and shared an emotional message following his passing.
Other friends and acquaintances described him as energetic, cheerful and full of life.
One message captured the disbelief surrounding the tragedy, with a mourner questioning how someone who was preparing to fly abroad could suddenly be gone.
The reaction demonstrated how unexpected the death was for people close to Pato.
Rather than spending the day making final preparations for his journey, his loved ones were left dealing with funeral arrangements and mourning.
Drowning remains a major public-health concern
Pato’s death also comes against the backdrop of a wider global concern about drowning.
The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 300,000 people die from drowning every year worldwide, with young people accounting for a significant share of the deaths.
The organisation says drowning can occur in a range of environments, including swimming pools, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
WHO’s latest global drowning report estimates that Kenya recorded 896 reported drowning fatalities in 2022, while its model estimated about 1,500 drowning deaths in the country in 2021.
The figures highlight the broader scale of water-related deaths, although they do not relate specifically to Pato’s case.
WHO recommends measures such as swimming and water-safety education, appropriate supervision, safer physical environments around water and improved rescue and resuscitation capabilities as part of drowning-prevention efforts.
A journey that never began
For those who knew Pato, the most painful aspect of the tragedy is the timing.
He was reportedly preparing to leave Kenya for the UK and begin a new career opportunity when his life was unexpectedly cut short.
The planned journey has now become part of the story his friends and followers are sharing as they remember him.
From his involvement in fitness activities and the Nanyuki creative scene to his presence on social media, Pato had established connections with people who now find themselves mourning a young man they believed was headed towards a promising new chapter.
His death has left his family, friends, fellow creatives and followers grieving, while details surrounding funeral arrangements and further information about the circumstances of the drowning are expected to emerge as the family and authorities deal with the tragedy.
For the Nanyuki community, however, the immediate focus remains on remembering Patrick Muriithi, popularly known as Palmer Pato and the energy, friendship and community spirit that those close to him say he brought into their lives.
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