Boat fuel shortage halts efforts to retrieve bodies

The Coast Guard, Red Cross, and local divers engaged in a search and recovery operation individuals who went missing after their boat capsized in Lake Baringo, Baringo County. [ Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Relatives of seven family members who drowned in Lake Turkana after their boat capsized early this month have appealed to the government to help them retrieve the bodies.

Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) and Coast Guard officials halted the search and rescue mission allegedly over lack of fuel for their boats.  

Maritime officials based in Turkana, who coordinated the rescue efforts, say chances of getting the victims alive were slim even as they face logistical challenge.

A KMA official in charge of the North Rift region Edward Mulongo said they were forced to suspend the search and rescue mission due to lack of fuel petrol.

“The multi-agency team comprising of Coast Guard and KMA halted the rescue mission due to lack of funds to fuel the boats. We are unable to carry out the rescue operation in Lake Turkana,” Mulongo said.

He said despite several requests to the Director General to support the Lake Turkana operations, no funds had been released.

“We have the vehicle and the engine boat but we lack fuel to carry out our operations in Lake Turkana and the activities in the entire North Rift region have been crippled due to lack of funding,” he said.

He said recently seven people perished in a boat mishap in Baringo but they could not respond due to transport challenges.

Mulongo said the boat was carrying 10 people when it capsized on August 8, 2024. Only two people out of ten survived after they clunged on jerricans after strong waves hit the fibre-made boats.

He said one body was recovered on August, 9 while seven other victims believed to be one family were still missing.

Mulongo said the survivors were still receiving treatment at the hospital. The group boarded the ill-fated boat at Eliye Spring in Turkana  County heading towards Soit Place in Marsabit County.