Mombasa: Families of three people who drowned and died during the East African Ocean Festival (TEOF) on October 10, 2025, in Tudor, are still crying for justice for their kin.
The three, Caleb Otieno, Stephen Karembo and Thomas Wanyoyi died when their boat capsized in the Indian Ocean waters during the competition.
Over three months later, the families have yet to get justice.
What promises were made to Mombasa boat accident victims’ families?
Ziro Karebo is among those still pushing for justice for their kin. He lost his brother, who left a widow with one child. Following the incident, Ziro says the family is suffering as the deceased was their breadwinner.
He says they were given many promises, among them jobs, but nothing has been forthcoming.
“We are ready to talk to those who were involved in organising the event. My brother was the breadwinner, and he left behind a widow and a child. They are suffering. What they want is justice, through compensation,” said Ziro.
Similar sentiments were shared by Jemima Akinyi, an aunt to one of those who died in the incident.
Akinyi said that since they buried their kin on November 1, 2025, they have never been consoled by organisers.
“Otieno left a 20-year-old widow and a 4-month old child. This is a young family. They are sleeping hungry; they need food, and we are pleading to these people to ensure justice is served,” she said.
“I have been left with nothing, and I want compensation for my son,” Akinyi added.
Is Haki Africa helping Mombasa boat accident victims families?
The matter has attracted the attention of human rights organizations who have offered to give free legal aid and sue the organisers.
Haki Africa executive director Yusuf Abubakar said if the conveners of the competition do not offer justice, they will assemble their lawyers to sue them in court.
“Someone must take responsibility, and that responsibility is to compensate those who lost their lives and those who survived because they were affected in one way or the other,” said Abubakar.
Founders and organisers of the October 2025 event are yet to announce any plan for compensation, even as affected families continue to suffer.
