A woman from Mombasa county is yet to receive updates concerning her close relative who was among the 22 participants onboard when a boat capsized during the East Africa Ocean Festival. Mombasa mum Janet Adhiambo (l) is still looking for his son after a boat capsized. The event, geared toward promoting tourism in Kenya, was held on Friday, October 10, at Tudor Creek. There were several fun-filled activities on that day, including a boat race that ended in chaos and heartbreak. How many Ocean Festival participants were rescued? The boat, MV Dragon, capsized metres from the finish line, leaving spectators traumatised by the chilling moment.
While 19 participants were rescued, three remained missing as families broke their silence, crying for their relatives. One mother was inconsolable as she opened up about her son, who was among the participants unaccounted for. “He is the only child. I have not been blessed with another. He is my only boy. God only gave me Caleb Otieno. I am in so much pain. I feel pain all over me,” Janet Adhiambo said. What were Ocean Festival organisers accused of? Like many others, she blamed the organisers for failing to ensure the safety of participants during the second edition of the festival. The organisers were accused of not providing participants with life jackets, with many arguing that such negligence endangered the lives of young people. “When this event was happening in Jomvu informal settlements, all the children who were on the boat had safety jackets. Why were our children not given any? That is the only question I have. I ask another question, where is the one who organised this event?” Adhiambo asked.
Why is Lydia Nyange’s heartfelt plea? The event organisers defended themselves in a statement, saying that all safety protocols were in place and were observed during the race that left many panicking after the boat incident. Adhiambo was joined by two other mothers who were hoping against hope that their children would be found as the search entered its third day. Tears freely flowed down their cheeks as they broke their silence, wondering if their sons would ever be found. “I just want to see my son. Until now, I have not seen him,” Lydia Nyange said heartbreakingly as she sobbed. 222 personnel search for three missing young men Joyce Dama also opened up about her young son as she spoke of the pain she was going through following the incident. “It is so painful because my son does not even know how to swim. When did he ever swim? When?” she asked rhetorically. READ ALSO Mombasa woman identifies relative who died after boat carrying 22 passengers capsized Daniel Manyala, a member of the Disaster Management Committee in Mombasa, shared that a total of 13 boats were dispatched to search for the missing participants. A total of 222 personnel, including divers and support staff, were deployed in the operation, hoping their rescue mission would be successful.
By John Green
