Six bodies which were missing following a boat accident in Lake Baringo have been retrieved early Tuesday, April 23 morning. The total fatalities from the tragedy now stand at seven.
The boat capsized in the middle of Lake Baringo Sunday, April 21 afternoon while enroute to Kokwa Island. Surprisingly, the bodies were found at the shores of Lake Kokwa Island two days later.
The ill-fated vessel, carrying 23 high school and grade 8 students, was en route to Kokwa Island for a church service. Excitement for the youth gathering quickly turned to terror as strong winds whipped up the lake, creating treacherous waves.
Confirming the retrieval of the bodies, Baringo County Commissioner says that at around 6:30 in the morning, divers found the bodies around Kokwa Island while they were on the third day of the search and rescue mission.
What happened?
A weekend church trip for Baringo youth turned into a desperate fight for survival as their boat capsized on Lake Baringo. Survivors recounted the harrowing ordeal of sudden turbulence, a disabled propeller, and a frantic struggle for safety.
The situation worsened when the boat’s propeller became entangled in a fishing net, rendering it powerless to navigate the choppy waters. Panic surged as some passengers, fearing the increasingly rough water, jumped into the lake. This unexpected shift in weight destabilized the vessel, causing it to capsize.
Amidst screams and chaos, a nearby boat emerged as a lifeline. Sixteen passengers were pulled to safety, while six others clung to hope as a search and rescue operation unfolded.
As of today, the search ended following the retrieval of the missing teenagers. A multi-agency task force comprised of coast guards, marine police, Kenya Red Cross personnel, and local divers oversaw the operation.
Baringo South Member of Parliament led a team of rescuers and urged the national government to bolster emergency response capabilities by providing a dedicated water ambulance to tackle future tragedies on the lake.
The capsized boat has since been towed to the shore, serving as a grim reminder of the fragile balance between faith and misfortune that unfolded on these waters.
