Boat Carrying Large Number Of People Capsizes At Kona Punda, Red Cross Confirms

• On Sunday, April 28, a private boat ferrying an unspecified number of people capsized at Kona Punda between Madogo and Garissa
• Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident, saying the boat was travelling to Mororo when the accident happened
• Reports suggest the boat carried over 40 passengers who paid a fee for assistance in crossing the flooded river

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Tana River - Several people are feared dead after a boat they were travelling in capsized at the Kona Punda area within Madogo in Tana River county on Sunday, April 28.

What the Red Cross said about Kona Punda incident

Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident saying the boat was travelling to Mororo with many people on board.

The Kenya Red Cross rescue team is already at the scene responding to the situation.

"A boat carrying a large number of people has capsized at Kona Punda while heading to Mororo. Our teams from Garissa and Tana River County are currently responding to the situation," Kenya Red Cross said.

Preliminary reports indicate the boat, which had more than 40 passengers on board, was on its way to Garissa county.

The ill-fated boat was captured ferrying people across the swollen Tana River and was reportedly charging KSh 1,500 per person.

How Kenyans reacted to the Tana River incident

Ken Aseka:

"My thoughts and prayers are with the people. Keep saving lives, Kenya Red Cross."

Sylvance Odilah:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them. How sad!"

Mohasik:

"Inalilahi wainailahi Rajiun! Aboko, Why are our people in a rush? They could have waited, but it was destined to happen."

FCPA Billow Kerrow:

"Tragedy. The same story of the impassable road between Madogo & Garissa every so often. This is the highway linking NE Kenya to Nairobi. A shame that KENHA keeps doing a patch-up instead of building a better road and bridges in this area."

How many people died in the River Kwa Muswii tragedy?

The incident comes a few days after a lorry ferrying people was swept away by floodwaters in Makueni county.

As of Saturday, April 27, the number of deaths in the swollen River Kwa Muswii drowning tragedy hit nine.

Makueni county Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili revealed on Saturday, April 27.

The residents revealed that they had been camping on the river's banks, waiting for the water levels to drop.

However, during their wait, two lorries ferrying ballast tried to cross, with one driving to the other side of the river without issues.