Eight missing after River Nzoia boat tragedy

What you need to know:

  • The accident took place at Siginga crossing point on River Nzoia as the boat headed to Mau Mau Village from Port Victoria market. The boat overturned at the same spot where over 10 people died in 2008.
  • One of the survivors Rose Akello attributed the accident to the fact that the boat was overloaded.

Eight people who were swept away when their boat capsized in River Nzoia on Saturday are yet to be rescued.

There are fears that the eight may have died and their bodies swept into Lake Victoria.

One body was recovered on Saturday and taken to Bumala Hospital mortuary. Rescue operations in the flood-hit Budalang'i entered second day Sunday.

Nine people were rescued on Saturday afternoon, according to Bunyala sub-county commissioner Joseph Magoha.

The accident took place at Siginga crossing point on River Nzoia as the boat headed to Mau Mau Village from Port Victoria market. The boat overturned at the same spot where over 10 people died in 2008.

Mr Magoha assured families of the victims that they will continue with the search.

“We will push through with the rescue operation which involve Kenya Marine Police and fisheries department together with local divers,” Mr Magoha said.

He said the Kenya Red Cross would also join the search.

Ms Eunice Akello’s two children are still missing. She has vowed not left the scene until the children aged seven and nine are found.

She said her children, pupils at Siginga Primary School, were going home from Port Victoria market.

One of the survivors Rose Akello attributed the accident to the fact that the boat was overloaded. The two students who were navigating it were also inexperienced, she said.

“I lost my niece in the accident. The child was unable to swim and was swept away when the boat overturned,” Ms Akello said.

Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong urged locals to use designated bridges when crossing the river.