Mombasa County distances itself from East African Ocean Festival after boat tragedy claimed three lives

The Mombasa County Government has distanced itself from the organisers of this year’s East African Ocean Festival, following the tragic boat accident that left three people dead and 19 others rescued.

Speaking at his office on Monday, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir clarified that the county was not involved in organising or sponsoring this year’s event, unlike the previous edition in 2024.

“Last year, we were part of the sponsors, but this year, as you saw, the County Government of Mombasa was not among those involved,” said Nassir.

“Do we embrace such activities within our county? Yes, we do. But we were not part of this year’s event.”

The governor revealed that no permit had been issued by the county for the boat racing competition, which was held at Tudor Water Sports and ended tragically when a vessel capsized.

Three participants, Caleb Otieno (21), Stephen Karembo (23), and Thomas Wanyonyi (24) lost their lives, while their bodies were later retrieved from different locations along the coastline, with one being found as far as Nyali Bridge.

Abdulswamad said the Deputy Governor, who also serves as the acting County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for the Blue Economy, had declined to attend the festival after realising the county was not officially involved in the planning.

The governor has now ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident, to be led by the Kenya Coast Guard Service in collaboration with the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA).

The probe will determine whether the capsized boat was seaworthy and whether participants were provided with adequate safety gear, such as life jackets.

“These are questions that must be answered. A full report will be shared with the public and the media to show what exactly transpired and how we got here,” he said.

To prevent future tragedies, Abdulswamad announced that all water-based events within Mombasa will now require clearance from the County Security and the Disaster Management teams. He said enforcement officers and disaster response units will be deployed on-site during such activities to ensure full compliance with safety regulations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we will be sending communications to all hotels and establishments that are within sea shores that in the future, anyone who wishes to hold an event shall need to be able to get clearance from the county security team and county disaster management team as well. At any given time, after such notification has been issued, the county disaster team shall be at the site that will include an enforcement team,” he said.

The governor also revealed that the county would soon set up a Marine Inspectorate Unit under the Inspectorate Department, equipped with rescue boats to enhance maritime safety.

He revealed that with support from the World Bank, the county is set to receive a safety boat, and plans are underway to purchase additional vessels for use in rescue operations.

In addition, Abdulswamad announced an immediate youth recruitment programme targeting members of Beach Management Units (BMUs) across Mombasa. The selected youths, he said, will undergo training in diving, rescue operations, and disaster response.

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“They will be placed on paid attachment as they await formal employment by the county government. Their raw talent in rescue and diving will be harnessed through professional training,” he said.

To support the victims’ families, the County Government, in partnership with Red Cross and Community 911, will provide psychological counselling and coordinate with the national government to assist with burial expenses.

The governor further disclosed that the County Cabinet is exploring the possibility of introducing new laws to regulate public swimming pools, requiring owners to have certified lifeguards before receiving operational licences.

“Safety cannot wait,” he stressed.

Following the accident, the East African Ocean Festival has been suspended indefinitely, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The bodies of the three victims are being preserved at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, where their families have since identified them.