One person dead, six missing in Lake Baringo boat accident

A coxswain starts a boat to ferry residents to Kokwa Island in Lake Baringo. [Kelvin Tunoi, Standard]

One person drowned and six others are missing after their boat capsized in Lake Baringo on Sunday afternoon.

Twelve others who were on board the boat were rescued.

Baringo County Police Commander Julius Kiragu said the boat that was ferrying youth to a church in Kokwa Island, capsized after it was hit by strong winds.

Kiragu noted that  19 youths involved in the accident were  from Salabani location.

"The boat was carrying 19 youths, 12 were rescued but a teen succumbed at Kokwa Island, they were going for a church function," he said.

The police boss said they have mobilised rescue efforts for the six.

He revealed that the rescue team, is encountering challenges due to strong winds on the lake.