A leisure trip along the Mombasa coast turned tragic after a boat carrying seven people overturned while returning from Fort Jesus, leaving two local tourists dead. Four others, including the boat captain, were rescued and taken to hospital after the vessel was hit by powerful waves off Nyali.
Highlights
- Two local tourists died after a boat overturned off Nyali.
- The vessel was carrying five tourists and two crew members.
- Four people were rescued and admitted to Coast General Hospital.
- The victims’ bodies were recovered the following day.
- Kenya Coast Guard, Navy, police and KWS teams joined the rescue operation.
Main Story
Boat Capsizes on Return From Fort Jesus
Two local tourists have died following a boat accident off the Nyali coast in Mombasa County.
The incident happened on Saturday, September 12, 2026, as the vessel was making its way back after a trip to Fort Jesus.
According to police, the boat had seven people on board — five tourists and two crew members.
It left for Fort Jesus at around 1:30 pm but ran into trouble approximately 75 minutes later while returning to the mainland.
Strong Waves Overturn Vessel
The boat reportedly capsized after being hit by strong waves in the ocean.
The accident triggered an immediate rescue operation involving multiple agencies and members of the public.
Among those involved were officers from the Kenya Coast Guard, Kenya Navy, Kenya Police Service and Kenya Wildlife Service.
One survivor was able to swim towards the nearest beach and raised the alarm at Kijani Beach, prompting first responders to mobilise.
Four Survivors Taken to Hospital
The boat captain and three tourists were successfully rescued following the incident.
They were taken to Coast General Hospital for treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.
The search operation continued for the remaining two passengers after they could not be located during the initial rescue efforts.
Bodies Recovered the Following Day
The search continued into the night but did not immediately yield results.
The overturned vessel was eventually towed to Jumeirah Beach as rescuers continued looking for the missing passengers.
Police said the bodies of Ken Barasa, 38, and Cynthia Barasa, 33, were recovered on Sunday from the ocean shoreline, only a short distance from the area where the boat had overturned.
Their deaths have since turned what was expected to be a coastal excursion into a tragedy.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation
The incident brought together several emergency and security agencies, alongside members of the public who helped in the search and rescue efforts.
The accident has once again highlighted the risks posed by changing sea conditions, particularly for boats carrying visitors along the Kenyan coast.
Authorities are expected to continue examining the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the weather and sea conditions at the time the vessel capsized.
A day meant for enjoying Kenya’s coastline has ended in heartbreak, leaving behind a painful reminder of how quickly conditions at sea can change.
