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| A boat capsizes in Lake Turkana |
At least 17 people are missing after a boat they were using capsized at Lake Turkana on Tuesday morning.
Only two people survived the accident, police said, adding that a group had left for Soit Place in Marsabit County from the Eliye area using a fibre boat owned by the Kalokol Impreza Management Team when the incident happened.
Seven men, 10 women and two children were on board the ill-fated boat. On reaching Soit Place, the boat capsized due to heavy winds.
Police officers visited the scene and announced a search and rescue mission to retrieve the bodies was underway.
Multi-agency teams were mobilised to help in the search mission.
Meanwhile, the development of Lake Turkana as a key fisheries and blue economy hub gained momentum after a state-of-the-art engine boat was introduced.
Kenya Fisheries Service the 300-horsepower petrol engine to enforce regulations against illegal fishing, license fishermen, conduct rescue missions, and perform monitoring, control and surveillance across Kenya’s territorial waters on Lake Turkana.
Counties targeted include Turkana, Samburu, and Marsabit.
A joint team from the county government, Kenya Fisheries Service, State Department of Blue Economy and Fisheries and, Beach Management Unit (BMU) representatives embarked on the boat’s first test run on the lake.
“This lake will generate over Sh3 billion annually if properly utilised. With this facility, it will be easier to ensure that lake users fully comply with licensing requirements and use the recommended fishing nets,” stated Joseph Kasuti, the KeFS Assistant Director of the Lake Turkana Regional Office.
Kasuti said the boat will support the livelihoods of over 7,000 fishermen who rely directly on the lake for fishing and 250,000 others whose lives are indirectly supported by it.
“The boat will play a vital role in curbing illegal practices that threaten the sustainable use of the lake,” Kasuti emphasized.
According to Kasuti, the lake has about 4500 fishing vessels used by the fishermen and lake users.
The Chair of the Kalokol Beach Management Unit (BMU), Michael Tepes, noted that the new boat, which complements four others provided by the County and National Government departments, would enhance the safety of fishermen and travellers on the lake due to its capacity to offer rescue services.
by CYRUS OMBATI