Four people have been critically injured after two boats carrying 19 people collided on Saturday morning at Kilindi in Lamu County.
According to a statement by the Kenya Red Cross on Saturday, May 9, the collision caused a boat to capsize, leaving several passengers injured.
The four critically injured casualties were evacuated to King Fahad Hospital for treatment.
“A boat capsize incident involving a collision between two boats carrying 19 people occurred this morning at Kilindi, Lamu County,” Kenya Red Cross said.
Boats Carrying 19 People Collide in Lamu, Four Injured
Another 14 people with minor injuries were treated at the scene.
“Kenya Red Cross Action Teams, Community Disaster Responders, and local divers responded to the incident,” the emergency agency said in a statement.
Emergency responders moved swiftly to rescue passengers and provide first aid following the accident in the coastal area.
The cause of the collision had not been established by the time of publication.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities respond to the incident and search for any missing persons.
The Kenya Red Cross said response efforts were ongoing following the morning incident, as authorities continued to assess the situation.
This comes as the weatherman announced that rainfall is expected across several parts of the country, with enhanced intensity in the Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley.
Strong southerly to southeasterly winds of above 25 knots (12.5 m/s) are expected over parts of the North Western, North Eastern, and South Eastern Lowlands counties.
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Past Lamu Boat Incidents
This incident follows a similar one reported in May 2025, where several people went missing after three boats capsized in Kilifi and Lamu counties.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the incidents occurred at Vidazini and Mnarani in Kilifi County and Mutuni in Lamu County.
Several people were rescued, while search operations continued to locate those still missing.
The rescue efforts involved the Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Beach Management Units (BMUs), beach patrol teams, and lifeguards from Mombasa, Lamu, and Kilifi counties.
“Three boat capsize incidents were reported this morning at Vidazini and Mnarani in Kilifi and Mutuni in Lamu. Several people have been rescued, with search efforts ongoing despite rough sea conditions,” the Kenya Red Cross said then.
“Our teams are on the ground supporting offshore response, medical evaluation, and lifeguard services.”
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In February 2024, three people were rescued in Lamu County after two boats transporting goods capsized.
The three are believed to have overloaded the vessels before the incident occurred.
Officers from the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) responded after receiving a distress signal and found the victims stranded at sea between Mkokoni Jetty and the island.
The two boats were later recovered and towed to the Yoni area.
Following the incident, KCGS urged fishermen and transporters to comply with safety regulations before venturing into the sea.
