Comoros Consulate to repatriate two nationals rescued from drowning in Lamu

The Consulate of Comoros in Kenya is repatriating two of its nationals who were rescued on the Indian Ocean last month.

The two fishermen, Ismael Ahmed, 42, and Farooq Abbas, 26, were rescued at the Kui area close to the Kenya-Somalia border in Kiunga, Lamu East.

They hail from the Mdomoni area on the Comoro island of Anjouan.

The duo had been missing for 18 days after their boat was hit by strong waves.

Their nationality was established following interrogations by the Kenya Coast Guard and the office of the Comoro Consulate, after which they were cleared for repatriation.

Consular Farhan Mohamed confirmed that the two were healthy and fit.

“We now await temporary passports from the immigration office before embarking on the journey back to Comoros. I am also of the idea that we wait and mark Eid-al-Adha in Kenya before we proceed to Comoros in a few days,” Mohamed said.

Eid-al-Adha is a Muslim celebration that will possibly be celebrated between Sunday, June 16 to Monday, June 17 this year. 

The consular said two more fishermen from Comoros Island have been reported missing since Monday.

 “I have already reached out to the Kenyan authorities so that they will be on high alert and inform us if in any way our fishermen will be traced in the Kenyan waters, particularly in Lamu,” he said.

County Disaster Management Director Shee Kupi advised sailors to adhere to meteorological alerts and warnings issued by the Emergency Response Centre (EOC) in the region.

He said the government through his office, was working towards a plan that would ensure zero marine disasters in Lamu.

“We shall achieve this through a comprehensive early warning and control system to be delivered by EOC which has been enlisted as the world's best upcoming disaster risk management project in the marginalized areas,” Kupi said.

In August 2021, seven nationals from the Island died while eight others were rescued after their vessels drifted into the Kenyan waters, pushed by strong waves.