Two local tourists died after a boat carrying seven people capsized off the Nyali coast in Mombasa county.
The incident occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, after the boat was reportedly struck by strong sea waves while returning from Fort Jesus.
The boat had two crew members and five local tourists on board.
The bodies of Ken Barasa, 38, and Cynthia Barasa, 33, were recovered Sunday at the shores of the ocean, a few metres from where the boat capsized, police said.
The vessel had departed for Fort Jesus at around 1:30 pm and capsized at approximately 2:45 pm while on its return journey.
A multi-agency team comprising officers from the Kenya Coast Guard, Kenya Navy, Kenya Police Service, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and members of the public responded to the incident.
Officials stated that the captain and three tourists were rescued and taken to Coast General Hospital, where they were admitted in stable condition.
The search for the deceased continued into the night in vain.
They were recovered hours later. Police said one of the survivors managed to swim to the nearest beach and sought help at Kijani Beach, where first responders began the rescue effort.
The capsized boat was later towed to Jumeirah Beach, where the bodies washed ashore hours later.
Their friends and relatives were left devastated.
Police said the incident was pending investigation. Such incidents have, in recent days, been on the rise amid calls on boat riders to be cautious and time their activities to avoid them.
Meanwhile, a 14-year-old Grade 8 pupil drowned in Lake Baringo while swimming alone in Akorian Sub-Location, Bartum Location, Marigat Subcounty.
The incident occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at around 1:40 pm, police said.The deceased was a pupil at Ngenyin Comprehensive School.
Police said the boy was swimming alone when he was overpowered by the lake’s currents and drowned.
Police proceeded to the scene, where Coast Guard personnel later retrieved the boy’s body.
The body was moved to Baringo County Referral Hospital Mortuary, where it is being preserved pending autopsy.
Police and the Coast Guard have urged members of
the public, particularly children, to exercise caution around the lake and
avoid swimming in unsafe conditions.
