Lamu East Parliamentary Aspirant Shekue Kahale has been rescued after a boat carrying him and 11 members of his family capsized in the Indian Ocean on Sunday.
According to Awadh Ali who is in charge of the Shanga Beach Management Unit (BMU), Mr Kahale was found walking with his life jacket on in Shanga Island on Monday morning.
Mr Ali also stated that the captain of the boat Mohamed Shamti was also found alive at Bori in Lamu East.
“We have found Mr Kahale walking at Majunguni. We have already taken him to the nearby hospital. We found him wearing [his] life jacket but very weak. He couldn’t even speak," Awath stated.
Lamu Operation Linda Boni Director Joseph Kanyiri confirmed that six bodies had been recovered at Manda Bruno in Lamu as rescue operations continued.
Kanyiri stated that the vessel, a small 40HP Yamaha Enduro-powered boat, left Kizingitini Village for Lamu Island at 9 am.
According to Kanyiri, the boat is feared to have capsized between 10 am and 12 pm on Sunday around Manda Bruno area.
"It is true. There is a boat that went missing since Sunday morning. It was carrying one of the Lamu politicians and family members and the coxswain," Kanyiri stated.
“We sent out a search and rescue team yesterday but couldn’t find anything. They will be out again this morning on same mission.
“We need to be patient as the search and rescue team does its work. I think it’s too early to comment on whereabouts of the occupants of the ill-fated boat though it’s highly suspected [it] may have capsized due to turbulent sea,” he added.
Lamu County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo also confirmed the incident stating that the boat was expected to have arrived in Lamu Island by at least 11 am.
Lamu police officers were alerted of the incident on Sunday evening and marine patrol boats were immediately dispatched on a rescue and search operation.
Local divers also joined in the night search for the missing politician and his family members.
Kanyiri noted that on Sunday evening, the team found two fishermen on the seashores, two jerry cans, a fuel tank and a fuel pump suspected to be those of the ill-fated boat.
Kahale, who was vying on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, emerged second in the race after he garnered 4,417 votes against Jubilee Party's Sharif Athman Ali who got 4692 votes.
[caption caption="Shekue Kahale"]
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