Family identifies body of kin who perished in Tudor Creek boat tragedy

She Rises’ Salma Hemeb condoles Janet Adhiambo, Caleb’s mother, at the Tudor Water Sports on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO

The body of one of the three missing people in the Tudor Creek racing boat tragedy has been retrieved.

It was positively by the mother, Janet Adhiambo.

Caleb Otieno, 21, was Adhiambo’s only child.

He completed high school in 2022 at Changamwe High School.

As soon as she saw the body, Adhiambo broke down, wailing and thanking God for bringing his body to her.

“What I’m I going to do without my son? Thank you God for bringing him to me. You know why! You know why!” she wailed.

She had to be consoled by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, who stood by her side all through.

Several other relatives were also overwhelmed. They could be seen struggling to stay on their feet, which buckled with grief.

Caleb was described by his friends as a gentle soul who was loved by everybody.

Jomvu MP Badi Twalib [2^ndRight] where Caleb Otieno’s body lies at the Tudor Water Sports on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO

Twalib, who has camped at Tudor Water Sports in solidarity with the bereaved families, said he will ensure the national government takes care of all the funeral costs for the three, a matter confirmed by deputy president Kithure Kindiki, who visited the scene of the tragedy and condoled with the bereaved families.

“The DP has promised that the government will take care of all the costs involved until the three bodies are retrieved and given a decent send-off,” Twalib said.

Kindiki said the government will take care of the funeral costs of all three people who lost their lives in the racing boat tragedy.

“We have come here because of this sad incident. It was supposed to be a happy event, but it turned into a sad one,” Kindiki said.

Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said Twalib will handle President William Ruto and Kindiki’s token of condolences to the families.

“After we retrieve all the bodies, we will now start dealing with those who survived and see how we can help them,” Nassir said.

“I understand fully that this is not a usual situation. The national and the county government will work hand in hand to ensure that all ends well,” Kindiki said.

“We are very positive that we will find the remaining two bodies. As a government, we will take responsibility and ensure the bereaved families are given all the help they need,” the DP said.

He announced that those who were involved in the rescue and recovery operations will be recognised and appreciated by the national government in a good way.

Caleb Otieno’s mother Janet Adhiambo [2^nd Left], is condoled by Jomvu MP Badi Twalinb at the Tudor Water Sports on Sunday / BRIAN OTIENO

Twalib announced that Caleb’s family members are in trauma and will have to undergo psychosocial therapy.

“We will not stop until the other two bodies are retrieved. I will also engage with the President through his deputy Kithure Kindiki so as to see how the 19 survivors of the tragedy are taken care of,” Twalib said.

He called for calm, saying no one can predict an accident, but at the same time urged caution, saying safety measures should be upheld in any situation.

Mombasa County Transport Executive Dan Manyala said recovery operations will go on until the other two remaining bodies are found.

He called for calm as recovery teams do their work.