13 victims of boat tragedy yet to be found

Raging floods in Tana River. [Nehemiah Okwembah, Standard]

Thirteen passengers swept away a fortnight ago by floods at Mororo along the Garissa-Madogo road, are yet to be found.

They are among 41 passengers of the boat that capsized along Tana River and Garissa border.

Seven bodies, including that of a schoolgirl, were retrieved.

On Thursday, the Kenya Coast Guards, Kenya Red Cross and a team from Tana River county government were still searching for the bodies.

Bangale Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Kipkorir said so far, 23 people have been rescued.

Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Principal Secretary Kello Harshama assured that the government will support the affected families with relief food.

"Areas that have been washed away by floods will also be reconstructed by the government," he said.

River Tana has been swelling due to the heavy rains experienced upstream in Mt Kenya region.

Meanwhile, private boat operators were Thursday allowed to ferry people across River Tana under police supervision.

Kipkorir said the boats will carry a maximum of 10 people at a fee of Sh200.

Government officials announced that the boat operators would be required to provide safety jackets for their passengers and be registered at a command centre near the river.

"We have prioritised the 23 persons rescued from the boat that capsized. Those set to travel to Wajir or other areas within Garissa county but got stuck are also allowed to go now," Kipkorir said.

"There are also public servants here who work in Garissa and police officers or those who have emergencies to attend to. We are currently allowing only these groups," he added.

Tana River Deputy Governor Mahat Ali Loka accused private boat operators of recklessly ferrying passengers plying the disconnected Garissa-Madogo road.

He urged the government to launch investigations into how the private boat owners have been operating without observing the laid down government procedures.

Initially, boats would carry excess passengers and they could charge Sh1,500 per person.