The boat ferrying members of the popular Extra Young Ohangla band began to take in water Saturday at about 8am, with seepage from the hull quickly filling the vessel with the shore just 20 minutes away. The search operation for the nine bodies began Monday morning, with more than five boats scouring the lake.
The operation was carried out by the Kenya Maritime Authority in co-ordination with the beach management unit, police officers and volunteering members of the public.
Two of the bodies were recovered on the same day but stayed on the shore of the lake until all the bodies are found, in line with local traditions.
The search for bodies continued as grieving relatives and fans of the band flocked into Liunda Beach where the musicians had boarded the ill-fated boat. A service will be conducted at the beach before the deceased can be taken to mortuary.
Elders forbid wailing as two bodies of boat accident victims found Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga visited the beach on Tuesday morning to condole with the bereaved families and called on the national government to work with the county government to ensure that all boats that venture into the lake are equipped with safety gear as it emerged that none of those aboard the capsized boat had life savers.
The Standards
UM– USEKE.RW
