A fitness influencer has drowned in a hotel pool just hours before he was reportedly due to fly to Britain to join the Royal Navy.
Patrick Muriithi, known online as Palmer Pato, was pulled from the water and rushed to hospital following the tragedy in Kenya.
But the 33 year old was pronounced dead on arrival.
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Friends said Patrick had secured a place with the Royal Navy and had already packed his belongings ahead of his planned move to the UK.
The tragedy unfolded at the Sportsman Arms Hotel in Nanyuki on Sunday (20 September) afternoon, as reported by Need To Know.
Police said Patrick checked into the hotel at around 1pm before heading to the swimming pool.
He drowned at around 2pm while swimming, according to officers.
Bystanders pulled him from the water and rushed him to Huruma Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Police said there were no visible injuries and a post-mortem was ordered.
Fellow influencer Kennie Balo said Patrick had been exercising in the pool when he got into difficulty.
TikToker Makena wrote: “Pato was meant to travel to the UK tomorrow to join the Royal Navy, but sadly he drowned and passed away today.”
A local Facebook page also claimed Patrick had an approved UK visa and a seat booked on a flight to London on 21 September.
It said the swim was intended to be his final training session before leaving Kenya.
However, those travel details and the claimed Royal Navy position have not been confirmed by Patrick’s family or the Ministry of Defence.
Patrick regularly posted fitness content online, worked at a restaurant in Nanyuki and trained with local exercise group Team Zoezi.
He leaves behind a wife, named in tributes as Yvonne, and a young son called Brayden.
His cousin Bianca Shiku was among those who paid tribute following his death.
Influencer Koinange Wahome said he had recently sat down with Patrick to discuss his planned move to Britain.
He wrote: “He was full of excitement, sharing updates with me and speaking with hope.
“I never knew that it would be among our last.”
Nanyuki Youths TV described Patrick as “a brother from another mother” and a loyal supporter of the local community.
MC Josee also paid tribute, saying he brought energy to the town and cared about community issues.
Funeral details have not yet been formally announced.
Friends have asked people to pray for his widow, son, mother and siblings.
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