This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
As the search for Mariam Kighenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu, who drowned in the Likoni channel on Sunday, entered its eighth day, hopes of recovering their bodies began to dwindle. The multi-agency team, comprising the Kenya Navy, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Coast Guard, and Kenya Marine Fisheries and Research Institute, has been struggling to locate the bodies due to the challenging conditions in the channel.
On Friday, a team of Swedish scuba divers, led by expert Volker Bassen, was hired by the family for Sh2 million, donated by Governor Hassan Joho. However, their efforts were met with disappointment as they failed to deliver, citing lack of visibility as the main obstacle.
Yesterday, heavy rains interrupted the search, and the team was unable to venture into the channel. The strong waves, muddy water, and the fact that the accident occurred in the middle of a busy shipping channel have made the recovery mission even more difficult.
There are also fears that fierce bull sharks lurk at the depth where the car is believed to be trapped, adding to the risks faced by the recovery team. The State has imposed tight information flow, amid fears that adverse publicity could affect this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations at the nearby Mama Ngina Gardens.
On Saturday, Transport CS James Macharia visited the site and announced that another team from South Africa would be arriving in a few days' time, sparking suspicion that the Kenyan team was unable to execute the recovery.
As the recovery efforts continue, the affected family remains hopeful that the bodies will be located soon. However, the challenges faced by the recovery team suggest that this may be a long and arduous process.
