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Four missing after boat capsizes in Lamu
Passengers alight from a boat in Lamu island on May 24, 2025. Four people are still missing after a boat capsized in Lamu on May 20, 2026.
Four people were reported missing and four others rescued after a boat capsized in Lamu.
Lamu County Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Manager Iftakhar Majid confirmed the incident on Thursday.
Mr Majid said the boat was overpowered by strong winds and tides and it capsized in the Sinda Kasi area near the Manda-Bruno channel.
The boat, with eight people on board, was ferrying mangrove poles and timber from Kiangwe in Boni Forest, Lamu East to Lamu Island in Lamu West. It capsized at around 9pm on Wednesday.
Manda-Bruno is one of the dangerous channels within the Indian Ocean waters off Lamu.
Mr Majid further explained that the distress information was first relayed to the Kenya Coast Guard Service at approximately 5.42am on Thursday.
“The information originated from one of the victims who survived after being washed ashore and was later rescued by a patrolling Beach Management Unit (BMU) team,” said Mr Majid.
“Upon receipt of the alert, the Lamu County EOC was immediately activated, and the County Maritime Search and Rescue Team, together with other multi-agency response teams, were promptly deployed to the scene to commence search and rescue operations.”
By Thursday afternoon, the multi-agency search and rescue operation had been intensified, but the four missing persons were yet to be accounted for.
Mr Majid urged the families and friends of those affected to remain patient as rescue teams continue with the operation.
Recently, there have been strong winds in the Indian Ocean.
According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, strong winds are expected to affect the Coast region this week, as well as parts of Eastern and North Eastern Kenya.
The strong winds were forecast to begin on May 20 and continue through May 22 in the Coast region and the counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Makueni and Kitui.
The winds, blowing from the south and southeast, are expected to exceed 25 knots (12.5 metres per second) or speeds above 46 kilometres per hour. These conditions could generate large waves and disrupt marine activities. The strong winds could also lead to damage of weak infrastructure, as well as cause trees to fall.
The combination of strong winds and high tides is hazardous for small vessels as they contribute to choppy seas and reduce marine visibility. Authorities have always urged maritime operators to follow alerts issued and avoid deep and open seas whenever the Indian Ocean is experiencing strong winds and high tides.
The accident comes barely two weeks after a woman and her nine-month-old baby died when two boats collided head-on at Lamu’s Kilindini Channel in the Indian Ocean. Fourteen other occupants of the two vessels were also injured.
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