The three were among 22 participants who took part in the boat race competition, one of the main events at the annual ocean festival that celebrates water sports and coastal culture across East Africa.
Search and rescue teams have been working tirelessly for three days to find the missing men. Families of the victims have camped by the shoreline, hoping for news of their loved ones.
“I just want to see my son,” said Lydia Nyange, the mother of one of the missing men. “It’s been three days. My child is in the water, and I’ve been sitting here all along.”
Another grieving parent, Janet Adhiambo, whose son Caleb is among those missing, pleaded for justice.
“He’s my only child, the one God gave me. I feel pain like I’m in labour,” she said tearfully.
Joyce Dama, another mother, expressed disbelief that her son, who could not swim, had joined the race.
“It’s painful. My child didn’t even know how to swim. When did he learn, and where?” she asked.
The search is being led by the Mombasa County Disaster Management Committee and involves a multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Navy, the Kenya Coast Guard Service, and other emergency responders.
Officials confirmed that by Sunday morning, one of the three missing bodies had been recovered. Strong tides and poor underwater visibility have slowed down the mission, but rescue teams remain determined.
“We have 13 boats and 222 personnel, including divers and support staff, involved in this operation,” said one officer at the scene. “We are hopeful that we will recover everyone soon.”
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki visited the accident site and commended the rescue efforts. He assured the victims’ families that the government will provide full support during the recovery and investigation process.
“We recognize the bravery of our officers working under difficult conditions,” Kindiki said. “We stand with the affected families during this painful time.”
Even as rescue operations continue, families have accused the event organizers of negligence, claiming that participants were not given life jackets.
“When the same event was held in Jomvu, everyone was given a safety jacket. Why weren’t ours given?” one relative questioned.
In response, the East Africa Ocean Festival organizers denied the allegations, stating that all safety measures were followed. They said participants received pre-race safety briefings, certified life jackets, and participated in safety drills before the race.
Ambulances and emergency medical staff were also on standby during the event, organizers added.
The search operation will continue until all missing bodies are recovered.
County officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, focusing on possible overcrowding, equipment failure, and weather conditions on the day of the race.
Authorities are also reviewing whether emergency response times met safety standards and if event organizers adhered to marine safety regulations set by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA).
As Mombasa mourns, coastal leaders are calling for stricter safety rules for future water sports events to prevent such tragedies.
The East African Ocean Festival is a regional annual event that promotes marine sports, blue economy awareness, and coastal tourism. This year’s edition attracted hundreds of participants from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and featured boat races, swimming contests, and cultural exhibitions.
