Three Students attending the University of Nairobi (UoN) drowned in Lake Victoria on the New Year’s Eve when their boat capsized.
According to a police report, the incident occurred at around 5:30 pm sand led to four of their comrades being rescued by coast guards from the Mulokoba Waterfront.
Bad weather and darkness led to the suspension of the search mission to recover the bodies of the drowned students at the water front to the 1st of January 2023 when the bodies were retrieved.
Bunyala Sub-County Police Chief Isaiah Mose said that the tragic incident occurred when crusaders had taken a short break from church activities.
“The seven students opted to take a lake tour and enjoy a boat ride,” said the officer adding that Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church were having an annual ten day Missionary/Baptism Crusade in Budalangi.
“The religious event hosted more than 200 congregants kicked off on the 18th of December 2022 and ended at the end of the year on the 31st of December when 19 people were baptized,” confirmed the area chief.
The police chief added that the students were in their first, third and sixth years at the University of UoN.
“After the recess, everybody was requested to the church. Unfortunately, the seven stayed behind to have a fun ride that turned deadly,” said one of the locals.
The police chief revealed that the rescued four are recvering at Port Victoria sub-county Hospital.
“The bodies of the two are lying in state at the same facility’s morgue,” said Mose who also revealed that another boat capsize incident had also occurred in the area at Yimbo sub-county’s Mageta Island where three people drowned while fishing and lost their lives.
He implore people using boats in the lake to ensure safety first and be wary of the lake’s fluctuating weather patterns.
“If you cannot afford a life jacket, use the inflated inner tubes to avoid drowning,” he said.