A fishing expedition for a father and his son in Lamu County turned tragic this week after their boat capsized in the Indian Ocean, claiming the life of one of Lamu’s longest serving fishermen.
Mr Famau Bwanahamadi, 78, had been working as a fisherman alongside his son, Hassan Famau, 27, for many years. Their expeditions involved traversing the rough Indian Ocean waters in Lamu all the way to Malindi in Kilifi County and other parts of the Coast region.
Mr Bwanahamadi is identified as the longest-serving and oldest fisherman in Lamu Island. On Monday, the two mended their nets before setting out for the Pezali area near Pate Island in Lamu East aboard a boat christened Sima Kuu.
Lamu fisherman Famau Bwanahamadi (left),78, and his son Hassan Famau ,27, who died after their boat capsized during a fishing expedition in the Indian Ocean.
Photo credit: Courtesy
According to the family, Mr Bwanahamadi and his son usually ventured into the ocean in the evening, worked overnight, and returned home the following morning. When they failed to return home by noon on Tuesday, family members and friends became concerned and immediately reported the matter to the local Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) offices.
Mr Bunu Vae, a cousin who had closely worked with Mr Bwanahamadi, said his experience and resilience in fishing made many view him as a hero in the industry. Born in Lamu Island, the father of five did not attend any formal schooling but instead nurtured his fishing career from the age of 10.
“Many upcoming fishermen in Lamu have learned a lot from Bwanahamadi’s tactics. This enabled them to become who they are today. He was an asset. May his soul rest in peace,” said Mr Vae.
Signals about the missing two fishermen were distributed to agencies handling marine-related tragedies, including the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), Kenya Red Cross Society, and the Lamu County Disaster Response Unit.
This prompted a multi-agency Search and Rescue Operation (SAR) to be launched in the Indian Ocean. The lifeless body of Mr Bwanahamadi was found floating near Mtangawanda on Tuesday evening.
It was established that the fishing vessel carrying Mr Bwanahamadi and his son was overpowered by strong winds and tidal waves and capsized. The tragedy is believed to have occurred late Monday night as they were fishing at Pezali.
Lamu County Search and Rescue team carry the body of fisherman Hassan Famau after it was retrieved from the Indian Ocean at Kwa Adi-Taudhi area near Lamu Port site in Kililana on September 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Kalume Kazungu | Nation Media Group
The search and recovery mission continued on Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday afternoon, the multi-agency rescue team managed to retrieve Hassan’s body at Kwa Adi-Taudhi, near Lamu Port. The fishing boat is yet to be traced.
Confirming the incident, Lamu County Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Manager Ifakhar Majid said the bodies were transported to Lamu King Fahd Hospital.
According to Lamu County Search and Rescue team leader Mohamed Musa, the operation took long because of rough seas.
KMA North Coast Regional Director Alexander Munga urged fishermen and other sea users to always wear life jackets whenever they venture into the ocean.
Mkomani MCA Abbas Shekhuna said many fishermen are forced to go into the deep sea without proper equipment. He called on the government to speed up the second round of Lapsset fishermen compensation, which entails providing modern equipment to improve safety.
“It’s unfortunate that our people are dying as they pursue their livelihood. Since dredging took place at the port, the sea is rougher and this can be managed if we get modern equipment including outboard engines to enable us to be safe as we operate in the open sea,” said Mr Shekhuna.
Lamu Beach Management Unit (BMU) Network Chairperson Mohamed Somo decried a surge in the number of fishermen dying at sea in recent times. Mr Somo expressed concern that within a span of less than two months, they have lost at least five fishermen in Lamu.
“Our fishermen here are poor and forced to use very small and outdated boats, dhows and canoes that can’t withstand the rough seas but we have no option. The dwindling fish stocks due to climate change are forcing us to pursue deep sea fishing,” said Mr Somo.
His sentiments were echoed by Lamu BMU Secretary Abubakar Twalib, who said local fishermen continue to face conflicts over illegal fishing by foreign vessels, a lack of resources, and poverty, which in turn compels them to take risks for their livelihood.
