The Kenya Wildlife Service has differed with the Kilifi county government over the Watamu boat tragedy that occurred off Garoda beach within the Watamu Marine National Park.
This is after the county said the boat was overloaded leading to the accident while KWS maintains that the boat was carrying passengers below capacity.
A statement from the county government said the number of passengers on board the boat MV Holiday Jabulani which capsised had exceeded the capacity of the vessel.
“The county government of Kilifi confirms, it received reports of an incident that involved tourists' glass boat MV Holiday Jabulani which capsized with 28 passengers including captain and crew on board,” the statement read.
"The vessel had taken tourists (Kenyan residents 12 and non-Kenyan residents 15) on a snorkeling tour approximately 300 metres at sea off Garoda beach at Watamu Marine Park."
Apart from overloading the county government said bad weather could have contributed at the time.
The county government statement said the rescue team together with KWS and volunteers managed to rescue 24 tourists.
Further, the statement said three people lost their lives with two bodies being retrieved on Saturday while one is still missing.
“The rest were taken to hospital for check-ups and treatment for injuries incurred. All were released with only one in hospital still receiving treatment,” the statement said.
It further said the department of public service and disaster management shall carry out an inspection on all boats operating within their coastline adding that all boats will be required to be equipped with safety jackets.
“No boat will leave the shores without all occupants wearing a safety jacket and carrying within its capacity,” the statement read.
KWS warden in charge of Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve Dadley Kiluhula said divers together with community volunteers are still searching for one of the boat tragedy victims who is still missing after the excursion boat capsized leaving three people dead.
He said search missions were launched on Saturday night and have been going to find the missing person.
In a phone interview, he said the missing person was one of the boat operators.
He said the boat had a capacity of 35 passengers but was carrying 29 people when the accident occurred on Saturday afternoon.
“We as KWS are going on with the search together with the community and we hope to find the missing person,” he said.
Among those who died in the tragedy included a five-year-old child who was on holiday with his parents from Nairobi.
Reports indicate that the boat was hit by a strong wave and capsized leaving the three including the five-year-old who was on holiday with his parents from Nairobi and two other residents of Watamu.
