Homa Bay boat tragedy: Death toll reaches 10, search closed
Homa Bay town residents watch as teams search for people who were on a boat that capsized on September 21, 2021
The death from Tuesday’s boat tragedy in Homa Bay County has risen to 10 following the recovery of two more bodies.
Families of the two had camped at the shores of Lake Victoria with the hope that their kin’s bodies would be retrieved soon.
On Thursday afternoon, local fishermen joined officials of the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Kenya Maritime Authority in the search for the two bodies.
Mr John Okombo was among the first people to arrive at the beach on Tuesday after learning that his eldest son, Samson Otieno whad been on the ill-fated boat.
He watched as teams searched for and retrieved the other nine bodies.
According to the Luo tradition, families of people who die in water are supposed to stay at the scene until the bodies are found. There is a belief that those who do not engage in this may compromise the exercise.
Mr Okombo, 58, said he has slept in a tent on the lake shores for two nights, waiting for his son to be found, whether dead or alive.
"My son worked as a mason here in town. He was among those who boarded the boat. He has not been seen since the accident happened," he said.
Mr Okombo received a call from one of his relatives that an accident had occurred in the lake and that his son was among those in the boat.
The son was in a group of Christians heading to Ndhuru for prayers. His family believed he was dead since he was not among those rescued. Only one person from the team survived the accident.
The survivors were found holding onto pieces of wood and luggage that was being transported across the lake.
For Mr Okombo, his son’s death is a big blow to the family since he has been paying school fees for his siblings.
"Two of my children are in university. The death of my son is a blow because I have been left with the burden of taking care of the whole family, including my daughter in law and two grandchildren," he said.
Also camping on the shores of the lake since Tuesday was Mr Charles Otieno, 49, whose brother John Otieno was in the vessel when it capsized.
He was going to visit a family member in Sikri.
"I received a call from my sister who told me to rush to the lake after the boat capsized," he said.
The bereaved appealed to Homa Bay County and well-wishers to help them accord their relatives decent send-offs.
ODM leader Raila Odinga condoled with the families and asked the county and national governments to help them with the burials.
"I send sincere condolences to the families and communities that have lost friends and loved ones in this accident. I wish luck to all the safety workers who are still searching for bodies of the other victims," he said in a statement earlier.
He appealed to people using the lake for transport and fishing to adhere to safety rules such as wearing life jackets.
"Our people must take charge of their own safety by demanding to be provided with these vital items before stepping into any vessel going into the water," he said.
