Boat Carrying Church Members Capsizes In Lake Baringo

Area Police Commander Julius Kiragu confirmed the incident to the media despite details about it remaining scarce.

According to the police boss, the boat was heading from Kampi Samaki, at the shores of the Lake, towards Kokwa Island.

"It's true a boat has capsized in Lake Baringo and it is reported that it was ferrying church members from Kampi Samaki to Kokwa Island.

Aerial view of Lake Baringo. /FILE

"I am yet to ascertain if there were casualties because what I have now is scanty information," said Kiragu.

Initial reports emanated from news outlets from the Rift Valley region with residents hoping for a prompt response to rescue those on board.

By the time of publishing this article, details regarding what caused the boat to capsize were yet to be established, though some locals had reported that the boat experienced challenges that led to it capsizing.

Boat accidents, though not often reported owing to the near-rare occurrences, have occurred at waterbodies such as Lake Victoria, Lake Baringo and the Indian Ocean.

In January 2023, at least four people died after a boat they were travelling in capsized at Watamu, Kilifi County.

Watamu Beach Management Unit Chairman Vincent Kahindi told the media that the boat that was carrying 29 passengers was hit by strong waves before it sank into the Indian Ocean. He added that among those who died were three women and an eight-year-old child.

Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve Warden Dadley Kiluhula weighed in by stating that the boat was carrying 15 foreign tourists and other Kenyans.

They managed to rescue 26 people, out of which, three were rushed to hospital in stable condition while the others were treated and discharged.

The bodies of the deceased were found under the boat benches, with authorities suspecting that they got stuck after the boat capsized.

Kiluhula further noted that the boat was among others that were watching dolphins in an area which had never had such an accident. 

The rescue operation was done by officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya Red Cross.

Boats during a rescue operation. /TWITTER