After a frantic three-day search, the bodies of three participants who went missing when their racing boat capsized during the East Africa Ocean Festival have been recovered from the Indian Ocean along Tudor Creek, Mombasa.
The accident occurred on Friday evening as a boat carrying 22 participants capsized, when it neared the finish line. The vessel reportedly overturned suddenly, prompting a frantic rescue effort that saved 19 people. The festival was immediately suspended following the tragedy.
One of the missing bodies was recovered on Sunday evening, while the remaining two were found early Monday morning during a coordinated multi-agency operation led by the Kenya Navy.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki visited the scene on Sunday to console grieving families.
He assured them that the rescue team would work tirelessly until all the missing persons were found.
He later met the families after attending a youth and women empowerment event in Nyali, pledging government support to ensure the victims receive a dignified send-off.
“We have been called here by your area MP Mohamed Machele, following this heartbreaking tragedy. I also wish to recognize MP Badi Twalib, whose Jomvu constituency has been directly affected,” said the Deputy President.
Prof. Kindiki thanked all the agencies involved in the rescue operation and expressed regret over the incident, promising accountability and compensation for the affected families.
“If any mistakes were made, we sincerely apologies and assure you that such an incident will not happen again. The government will ensure compensation once all the bodies are recovered,” he had promised.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir urged calm and compassion, calling on the public to allow families space to grieve.
“As we are here pointing fingers, let us also remember that some of our people need to bury their loved ones,” appealed Nassir.
Jomvu MP urged the government to provide psychosocial and financial support to the 19 survivors and families of the bereaved.
“We want the government to take up this burden fully and support the affected families. Some of the survivors are deeply traumatized and need counselling. We also ask the authorities to compensate them for the shock and distress they went through,” Twalib said.
By Sadik Hassan
