Search continues for missing Watamu brothers lost at sea amid calls for rescue boats
Relatives of the missing fishermen are also calling on the government to step up efforts in the search and to address long-standing safety concerns faced by artisanal fishers.
Watamu fishermen in Kilifi County are pleading with authorities to dispatch marine rescue boats following the mysterious disappearance of two local fishermen, who have now been missing for five days.
Athman Lali and Hudhefa Lali, who are brothers, were last seen on Thursday, July 24 2025, after they set off on a routine fishing trip in the Indian Ocean.
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Since then, coordinated search efforts involving local fishers, volunteers, and the Kenya Navy have yielded no results.
The incident has sparked concern among locals, who say the lack of proper emergency response equipment is putting lives at risk.
Watamu youth leader Bakari Shaban expressed frustration over what he termed as “continued neglect” of coastal fishing communities.
“We are losing our people in the ocean, and it’s like no one cares. How can a town like Watamu, known internationally for its tourism, not have even one fully-equipped rescue vessel? We need at least two emergency boats stationed here to respond to sea accidents.”
Relatives of the missing fishermen are also calling on the government to step up efforts in the search and to address long-standing safety concerns faced by artisanal fishers.
“Their disappearance has thrown our family into deep anguish. They are the ones who put food on our table and take care of their younger siblings. We are begging the government to support us,” said the brothers’ father, Lali Athman Lali.
Dhurai Mohamed Ali, their mother, added that local volunteers have continued scouring the coastline, but without proper equipment, their chances of success remain slim.
The tragedy has reignited debate around maritime safety along the Kenyan Coast. In an earlier incident just months ago, a fisherman from Mnarani reportedly died during a violent dispute at sea. His body was never found.
As the search for Athman and Hudhefa enters its sixth day, pressure is mounting on both the Kilifi County and national governments to invest in life-saving infrastructure to protect those who depend on the sea for their livelihoods.
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