Pastor Jane Kakenyi of the Revival Church in Kabukoki, Baringo County is still grappling with the loss of her three children who died after a boat capsized in Lake Baringo.
The incident occurred as the boat transporting High school and grade eight students from Salabani Baringo South for a church service in Kokwa Island capsized on Sunday, April 21.
Out of the seven-death toll, three were siblings both girls who were also part of the mission.
Reports indicate that the boat was carrying 23 people out of which only 16 survived including one of Jane’s children, a 16-year-old boy.
Baringo County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa said six bodies were recovered on Tuesday, April 23 from Lake Baringo bringing the death toll to seven.
According to preliminary investigations, the boat capsized due to strong wind waves.
Pastor Kikenyi while speaking to the media narrated that her church runs an exchange program with another in the neighboring Kokwa Island, where youth from both the churches visit one another once a month for fellowship.
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Mother Narrates Last Moment with Kids Before Baringo Tragedy
“I was meant to accompany the youth for their fellowship, but I was called by our bishop in Kabarnet to attend a meeting the same Sunday,” Ms. Kikenyi told the Media.
“Coincidentally, the host pastor at Kokwa Island church had also been asked to attend the meeting.”
Pastor Kikenyi explained that while at the Kabarnet meeting, her Kokwa Island counterpart received a call from a church member who informed him about the tragedy.
“I was so shocked because not only were my four children among the youth, but the entire group were my church members,” she added.
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“When I arrived at the shores of the lake, dozens of locals and government officials were camping waiting for the strong tides to subside so that they could start searching for the missing persons.”
The pastor further stated that she saw one body being carried by the Kenya Red Cross and when she inquired from a local about the dressing of the deceased, she suspected it was one of her girls.
The single mother later confirmed it was the body of her 12-year-old daughter. Two of her deceased girls aged 14 were in form one while the younger one aged nine was in grade four.
“I am lost for words. I parted with my four children on Sunday morning, and we wished each other well as they headed for the fellowship while I headed for the meeting,” she said.
“That turned out to be the last meeting with my three daughters. They usually encourage me that they will work hard so that they can ease my burden of selling firewood for their survival.”
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