Another boat has capsized in the Chanu Channel, Lamu East. Four individuals were on board, The Kenya RedcCross has confirmed.
Three people have been rescued. They were found at Kiwayuu. One person remains missing.
A multi-agency team is now active on the ground
This team includes the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Maritime Authority, Coast Guard, and the Lamu County Government.
They are conducting search and rescue operations.
On Saturday morning, three boats capsized in incidents reported at Vidazini and Mnarani in Kilifi and Mutuni in Lamu.
Several people were rescued as search efforts continued despite rough sea conditions.
According to the Red RedCross, their teams have been on the ground supporting offshore response, medical evaluation, and lifeguard services.
The incident comes two days after all public beaches in Mombasa were declared out of bounds on Saturday and Sunday after the Meteorological Department warned of adverse weather conditions at the coast.
Making the announcement on Friday, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir said the beaches will remain closed on Monday if the weather does not improve.
The governor noted that a meeting of Mombasa’s Disaster Preparedness Committee resolved to close the beaches after the Meteorological Department warned of strong winds and high waves.
“We’ve resolved to close public beaches for two days, suspend ocean activities, and halt all construction work for public safety. Daily updates will be shared,” he stated.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has advised Kenyans living in the Coast, the southeastern lowlands, and the northwestern regions of the country to brace for strong winds over the next three days.
Kenya Met issued an advisory on Friday, May 23, warning residents of Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale to be on the lookout for strong winds that could cause destruction.
According to the weather department, strong southerly winds of more than 30 knots (15.4 m/s) were expected over the Coast, the southeastern lowlands, and northwestern Kenya on Friday, May 23, 2025.
The wind speed was expected to strengthen to more than 35 knots (18.0 m/s) on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, before subsiding to 25 knots (12.9 m/s) on Monday, May 26.
Similarly, the meteorological department cautioned Kenyans living in the coastal counties of Tana River, Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi to prepare for large ocean waves for the next three days.
