Boat capsizes on River Nzoia, six feared dead

People cross River Nzoia. Eight people who were swept away when their boat capsized in River Nzoia on Saturday are yet to be rescued. FILE PHOTO | JACOB OWITI |

What you need to know:

  • The point where the accident happened is about four kilometres from Lake Victoria, where the river finally empties its waters.
  • The 1pm accident is believed to have been caused by increased water volume following the ongoing heavy rains.

A baby was confirmed dead and six other people were on Saturday night feared dead after a boat they were travelling in capsized at the Narera crossing point on River Nzoia in Busia County on Saturday.

The six were among an estimated 15 passengers who were using the boat to travel from Port Victoria shopping centre located along the river to Mau Mau market located about two kilometres away on the opposite side of the river. Nine people had escaped after being rescued by late Saturday evening.

The point where the accident happened is about four kilometres from Lake Victoria, where the river finally empties its waters. The oar-driven boat was moving upstream.

The 1pm accident is believed to have been caused by increased water volume following the ongoing heavy rains.

OVERLOADED BOAT

Survivors said the boat was overloaded and was being navigated by two inexperienced riders, who were said to be Form Three students.

Ms Jane Khamala, who was among the survivors, said that at the time she boarded the boat, she expressed fears that the waters were too much for the young riders.

“But the operators said they could give it a try despite my reservations about their apparent inexperience,” she said.

She added that the tragedy happened about five minutes after she had boarded it at the Siginga shopping centre along the river.

“The boat hit something that felt like a wooden plank and overturned, throwing all the passengers into the river. It covered all of us but I saved myself by clutching at the boat. It was by luck that I held on for long enough before rescuers arrived,” she said.

Ms Eunice Mang’oli, another survivor, said she was part of nine people in one family who were cruising on the boat.

“It was through God’s grace that I managed to hold to the boat until rescuers came. A lot of water had gone into my stomach and lungs,” she said.