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Three missing after boats capsize in strong Coast winds
Passengers alight from a boat in Lamu island on May 24,2025.
Three people are missing in Kilifi and Lamu counties after their boats capsized due to the strong winds being witnessed across the Coast region.
In Kilifi, the whereabouts of two people remain unknown, while a woman was rescued from a boat incident.
The two were among a group of fishermen from the Mnarani Beach Management Unit (BMU) in Kilifi North sub-County who went fishing on Friday evening.
A section of Lamu island with boats docked due to strong sea winds in Lamu on May 24,2025.
Speaking to the Daily Nation, Mnarani Beach Management Unit (BMU) chairperson Mr Kassim Jembe said the efforts to search for the other two fishermen are ongoing.
"Four fishermen with a crew of three people each left Mnarani on Friday at 6pm, and while in the deep sea, their boats were hit by strong winds and capsized," he said.
According to Mr Jembe, other people on three boats managed to navigate through the strong winds and returned safely to shore, while the fourth boat could not be traced by night.
He said a team of fishermen embarked on a rescue mission in the deep sea on Saturday morning and, at around 10am, they rescued a woman who was rushed to the Kilifi County Referral Hospital for treatment.
"The woman was found floating because she had a life jacket. She said winds were strong, and the boats were filled with water, and it was a heavy task to control the vessels in the Ocean," he said.
Their boat was later found and towed to Mnarani.
The BMU has dispatched three boats to continue with the search for the two missing fishermen.
Mr Jembe called on the fishermen to follow the advisory issued by the meteorological department and stay out of the waters for their safety.
"We appeal to the governments to help our fishermen so that they can be able to survive during this period when the ocean is a no-go zone," he added.
Normally, fishermen are advised to stay out of the waters from mid-May to September due to the high tides and strong winds that make the Ocean unsafe for them.
The Pweza Women Group chairperson, Ms Rukia Juma, said some fishermen would risk their lives in the waters for the quest for money despite caution from the government.
She said there was a need for continuous sensitisation for fishermen on their safety and alternative sources of livelihoods.
More incidents
In Lamu, a fisherman has been reported missing while nine other sailors were rescued in two separate boat capsize incidents.
Lamu County Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Manager Iftakhar Majid told the Nation on Sunday that the first incident occurred at the Mlango wa Tanu dangerous channel in Mkokoni, Lamu East, on Saturday evening.
It involved a fishing dhow with four occupants on a fishing venture in the area when their vessel capsized due to the strong winds witnessed at sea at the time.
Three of the fishermen were able to swim to shore.
“The dhow had four fishermen onboard. The vessel was hit by strong waves and overpowered on Saturday evening. Three fishermen swam to safety while one was left in the vessel. As we speak, he hasn’t been found and my team has already initiated a search and rescue operation coordinated by the EOC,” said Mr Majid.
The second incident involved a passenger boat that was overpowered by strong winds and tidal waves and capsized at Mutuni Area.
The boat was from Kizingitini Island in Lamu East and headed to Lamu Island in Lamu West when the incident occurred.
Six people onboard were rescued by passing boats with no casualties reported.
Met warning
The Kenya Meteorological Department has already sent out a warning for strong winds in the counties of Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale.
The Director of Meteorological Service Dr David Gikungu, attributed the strong southerly winds to strong ocean currents in the Indian Ocean.
The situation was expected to last from Friday with a likelihood of reducing on Monday.
The weatherman cautioned residents in all the mentioned counties to be on the lookout for potential gales (very strong winds) and large waves over the Indian Ocean.
“The anticipated strong winds may blow off roofs and cause structural damage to buildings. Those involved in marine activities are being warned of large waves that “may lower visibility and affect marine activities beginning Friday to Sunday,” he said.