Pain and grief as family mourns four members killed in Lake Baringo boat tragedy

A family in Ilchamus ward, Baringo County has been plunged into mourning following the death of four of its members who passed away in a boat capsizing incident in Kokwa Island on Sunday.

Jane Kikenyi's family is grieving the tragic loss of three children and their uncle, whose bodies were recovered from Lake Baringo on Wednesday, marking the third day of the multi-agency-led rescue operation.

Mourners have flocked Kikenyi's home in Oldepe Isinya village to condole with the family. The deceased persons were among seven people killed during the boat capsizing incident.

An emotional Kikenyi shared with Citizen Digital the memories of her three children, Abigael, Ruth, and Martha Kikenyi, as well as her brother Denis;  memories she says she will hold dear despite their passing.

"I am filled with deep sorrow following the passing of my three children and brother. It was very painful to go to Kabarnet Mortuary," she said.

"We didn't expect this and the news came as a shock to us. Accidents can't be prevented but the whole village is mourning," Richard Leyele, a relative, said.

Kikenyi further asserted that her children, aged 14, 12 and 9, had a promising future, adding that they had the potential to save her family from abject poverty.

The family is now dealing with the huge burden of offsetting morgue expenses and giving their loved ones a befitting send-off.

"Our family is quite humble and we don't have the means to clear the bills. We want the government to intervene and help us,” Sebastian Lipario, a family member, said.

The four family members were among 23 students who were heading to church in Kokwa Island on Sunday when their boat capsized. The boat's propeller reportedly became entangled in a fishing net.

Sixteen students were rescued, while the remains of seven students were retrieved after a three-day search and rescue mission conducted by a multi-agency team comprising the coast guard, marine police, Kenya Red Cross, and local divers.