Two police officers are among three people missing after their boat capsized in Lake Victoria on Thursday night, March 24.
The boat capsized about 200 metres from Mugabo Beach in Migori County.
According to a police report, a revenue officer captaining the boat when the incident occurred also went missing.
The 11 pm accident also saw three AK47 rifles, each loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, disappear.
Police reports further indicated that the trio were part of a platoon of eight officers drawn from the National Police Service, Marine Police, Administration Police (AP) and the taxman's office conducting a joint operation on Lake Victoria.
The National Police Service (NPS) reached out to the families of the victims in order to share the sad news that caused serious panic in the closely-knit squad.
Meanwhile, Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) took over the search and rescue operation on Friday, March 20, in an attempt to recover the missing officers and government official.
KCGS deployed swimming and diving experts in the area around Mugabo Beach to try and retrieve the individuals from the blue waters of Lake Victoria.
In the concept of establishing a pool of resources around the accident area, KCGS believed that the officers will be able to recover the missing officials whether dead or alive.
KCGS was established to undertake emergency response such as maritime search and rescue and response to marine spills.
The service also takes part in the exploration and exploitation of marine living and non-living resources, maritime commercial activities, defence and security conservation and management of the marine resources.
The officers are also charged with the responsibility of enforcing customs, fiscal, immigration, shipping, and sanitary laws in Lake Victoria and other marine bodies.
"KCGS aims to strengthen and enhance enforcement of laws and regulations applicable in Kenya’s territorial and inland waters, in particular, those relating to maritime security and safety, fisheries protection, pollution control, sanitation, customs, narcotic drugs, prohibited plants, psychotropic substances, illegal firearms and ammunitions and protection of maritime resources," the services stated.
