Lamu: Boat With 12 Passengers On Board Swept Away By Water Currents, Rescue Underway

• Twelve passengers cheated death in Lamu after their boat was swept away by water currents following a mechanical breakdown
• Among the 12 passengers was a pregnant woman who sustained injuries from the incident, although all of them were rescued
• The residents have opted to use boats after Tana River broke its banks, destroying the bridge connecting Gamba and Lango la Simba

A pregnant woman was among 12 passengers who were rescued in Lamu on Tuesday, May 14, after the boat they were in developed mechanical problems.

The boat, nicknamed the Sailors, was ferrying passengers using speed boats to connect from Gamba to Lango la Simba.

Why did the boat capsize?

According to witnesses at the scene, as reported by Citizen Digital, the boat was overwhelmed by strong water currents, sending the 12 passengers to panic.

"The rescue team managed to rescue all the passengers before the worst happened. However, a pregnant woman who was among them sustained injuries from the unfortunate incident," Paul Kimani a boat said.

Kenya Maritime Authority caution

The Director of Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Edward Longo, called on boat riders to take caution and avoid using areas with strong currents.

KMA calls come barely a day after one person died after their boat developed mechanical problems.

Why are residents using speed boats?

The residents have settled on using boats after the Tana River broke its banks, leading to overtopping of the road, paralysing transportation activities.

Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) announced the closure of the road on Saturday, May 11.

"The Kenya National Highway Authority regrets to inform the public of the closure of Garsen-Witu-Lamu A7 Road between Gamba and Lango la Simba. This follows heavy downpours experienced upstream that have resulted in the Tana River breaking its banks and subsequent overtopping of the road," KeNHA stated.

Why Lamu youths want rains to continue

Youths helping residents cross the flooded road want rains to continue, as they are making a living from ferrying residents' luggage.

With the exemption of the sick, the youths were charging KSh 200 per person and KSh 300 for luggage.

What to know about floods in Kenya

• Displaced residents in Kamkunji afforded a smile after kind businessman donated food to the affected families
• Over 5000 residents of Mandera county were displaced after an Ethiopian River broke its bank and flooding to their homes
• The government has said roads worth KSh 80 billion were destroyed by the floods in the country Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.