MADOGO, TANA RIVER COUNTY – In response to a recent boat tragedy, the government has immediately suspended the operation of private speed boats in the Kona Punda area. This decision follows a catastrophic incident involving a boat along the Garissa-Nairobi highway that resulted in numerous casualties and missing persons.
According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke after visiting the site, strict measures will be enforced against anyone violating this suspension. “I want to make it very categorical that no boat will be allowed to ferry passengers either to or from Garissa until we give another communication when it will be safe,” Mutua stated. The prohibition includes all private boats, with exceptions only for those involved in ongoing search and rescue operations.
The search team has recently recovered three bodies and rescued 22 individuals; however, 23 people remain missing from the boat, which was carrying close to 45 passengers at the time of the accident. Mutua emphasized the government’s efforts to locate the unlicensed boat owner and the boat operator, both of whom are currently fugitives.
The Deputy County Commissioner highlighted that the tragedy was a direct result of public negligence, noting that individuals risked crossing the flooded area despite warnings and road closures by the authorities. He advised the public to postpone any travel plans to Garissa, Mombasa, or Nairobi until conditions are deemed safe.
In a related statement, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama described the boat incident as a reckless endangerment of lives by operators driven by profit. He condemned the operators for using an unlicensed vessel and demanded immediate legal action against them. “They are criminals driven by greed; they had no regard for the safety of the public. We call upon the government to immediately apprehend them,” Governor Jama asserted.
Governor Jama also criticized the Kenya National Highways Authority for their handling of the road maintenance post-El Nino rains, questioning the adequacy of the repairs which failed to withstand the recent flood conditions. He urged for a more sustainable solution to the recurring floods that continue to affect the region severely.