This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
Kenya Navy Embroiled in Scandal Over Alleged Refusal to Rescue Fishermen ¶
Four fishermen who got lost at sea for 17 days have sparked outrage on social media after reports emerged that Kenya Navy officials allegedly refused to rescue them.
According to a story aired on Citizen TV on December 26, 2019, the fishermen, who were on a boat that drifted to the deep sea on December 9, 2019, were spotted by Kenya Navy officials on their ninth day at sea. Despite their pleas for help, the officials allegedly refused to rescue them, leaving them to survive on salty water and dry raw fish for 17 days.
The fishermen were eventually rescued and taken to Malindi sub-county hospital, where they were treated and discharged after a medical checkup.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Kenyans expressing their disgust and disappointment at the alleged actions of the Kenya Navy officials.
"Kenya Navy is a disgrace to patriotism," wrote one Twitter user. "These guys just abandoned four fishermen in deep sea even after the fishermen begging them to save them or even give them just a drop of water. This is what you get for selecting individuals based on dental nomenclature instead of IQ & EQ."
Another Twitter user wrote, "So why do we have navy in the first place if they can't perform such a crucial rescue? These men would've died then? Shame on you Kenya Navy."
The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the Kenya Navy and the criteria used to recruit its officials.
"Kenya Navy hawana utu," wrote one Twitter user. "How do you abandon fellow citizens in the deep seas even after begging for water to quench their thirst! I'm glad that the four fishermen survived the harsh condition they underwent. Ni Mungu tu. I wonder what criteria is used to recruit these empty heads!"
