Several dozen people are missing after three boats capsized off Kenya’s coast in Kilifi and Lamu counties on Saturday, May 24, 2025, just a day after the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of strong winds and large waves.
The incidents occurred early in the morning at Vidazini and Mnarani in Kilifi County and Mutuni in Lamu County, affecting a mix of fishermen, traders, and passengers.
Rescue operations involving the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Coast Guard, the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Beach Management Units (BMUs), and beach patrol teams from the county governments of Mombasa, Lamu, and Kilifi are ongoing, despite treacherous sea conditions.
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The Kenya Red Cross reported that several survivors were rescued and are receiving medical treatment, but rough waters are complicating efforts to locate those still missing. “Our teams are on the ground, supporting offshore response, medical evaluations, and lifeguard services,” the organisation said in a statement.
The capsizes occurred despite warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department on Friday, May 23, forecasting turbulent weather along the coast.
In response, Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir had ordered a two-day closure of beaches and a suspension of all ocean-based activities, including fishing and water sports, effective immediately.
Construction activities were also halted due to wind-related hazards, with contractors instructed to secure their sites.
Despite the advisory, many vessels departed, a decision local officials attributed to economic pressures and lax enforcement of maritime safety regulations.
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