Another boat has capsized in the Chanu Channel, Lamu East, with four people on board.
Kenya Red Cross, in a statement issued on Sunday, May 25, 2025, said three people had been rescued at Kiwayuu, with one still missing.
However, a multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Maritime Authority, Coast Guard and the Lamu County Government has been activated for search and rescue operations.
“One more boat has capsized in the Chanu Channel, Lamu East, with four people on board. Three individuals were rescued at Kiwayuu, while one person remains missing. A multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Maritime Authority, Coast Guard and the Lamu County Government has been activated for search and rescue operations,” the Kenya Red Cross stated.
In a statement on Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incidents, which they revealed occurred early in the morning.
Kilifi and Lamu incidents
The incident comes just a day after three boats capsised in different locations in Lamu and Kilifi counties.
Of the three, two were reported within Kilifi County.
“Three boat capsize incidents were reported this morning — at Vidazini and Mnarani in Kilifi and Mutuni in Lamu,” Kenya Red Cross reported.
In the statement, the Kenya Red Cross detailed that its team braved rough sea conditions to rescue several people who were onboard the vessels when they capsized.
However, they did not immediately reveal the number of those rescued and those still missing.
“Several people have been rescued, with search efforts ongoing despite rough sea conditions. Our teams are on the ground supporting offshore response, medical evaluation and lifeguard services,” the statement explained.
“Deep sea rescue efforts are being supported by the Coast Guard, KMA and Beach Management Units (BMUs), with beach patrol and lifeguard support from the county governments of Mombasa, Lamu and Kilifi,” it added.
Kenya Met’s warning
The Kenya Meteorological Department on Friday, May 23, 2025, issued a severe weather alert for May 23–25, 2025, that would affect the coastal areas.
The weatherman forecasted strong winds exceeding 35 knots (65 km/h) and waves over 2 metres in the Southeast Lowlands, Northwest Kenya, and coastal areas.
This is driven by a high-pressure system in the Indian Ocean, a pattern often linked to seasonal monsoon shifts in East Africa.
The alert highlights risks of structural damage, like roofs being torn off, and marine disruptions, particularly affecting coastal communities and fishing activities, with historical data showing similar conditions in May 2018 causing over Ksh500 million in damages along the Kenyan coast.
According to the Kenya Met, the wind speeds are likely to reduce to 25 knots (12.9 m/s) on Monday, 26 May, 2025, with wave heights expected to be more than 2.0 meters over the Kenya coastal waters from Friday, May 23, 2025, to Sunday, May 25, 2025.
They are, however, expected to reduce to below 2.0 meters on Monday, May 26, 2025.
“Strong southerly winds of more than 30 knots (15.4 m/s) are expected over the Coast, the South-eastern lowlands and Northwestern Kenya on Friday, 23 May 2025. The wind speed is expected to strengthen to more than 35 knots (18.0 m/s) on Saturday, 24th May 2025, and Sunday, 25th May 2025. Wind speeds are likely to reduce to 25 knots (12.9 m/s) on Monday, 26 May, 2025. Wave heights are likely to be more than 2.0 metres over the Kenya coastal waters from Friday, 23 May 2025, to Sunday, 25 May 2025. They are expected to reduce to below 2.0 meters on Monday, 26 May 2025,” the weatherman’s alert read.
Mombasa takes caution
Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir ordered the closure of public beaches for a period of two days, Saturday, May 24, 205, and Sunday, May 25.
In a statement issued on the night of Friday, May 23, Governor Nassir also ordered the suspension of ocean-based activities until further notice.
He also ordered the temporary halting of all construction activities.
