The government has suspended private speed boat operations in the flooded Kona Punda area in Madogo, Tana River County, immediately following the tragic boat accident along the Garissa-Nairobi highway.

Addressing the media at the Kona Punda site where a search and rescue team is camping, Tana River Deputy County Commissioner Andrew Mutua said stern action will be taken against anyone who defied the order.

Three bodies were retrieved on Monday morning by the search team as they continued to search for more bodies.

On Sunday, the team rescued 22 people, while 23 are still missing from the ill-fated boat that had close to 45 people on board.

“I want to make it very categorical that no boat will be allowed to ferry passengers either to or from Garissa until we give another communication when it will be safe.”

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“The only boats that will be allowed are those that are searching for bodies or survivors, so anyone else, either boat owners or passengers, who try to play monkey business here will have themselves to blame,” he said.

Further, the DCC stated that the government was pursuing the unlicensed boat owner, who was still at large.

He also disclosed that the security apparatus is still looking for the rider riding the boat at the time of the incident, with reports suggesting that he might have fled.

Mutua said the incident occurred as a result of negligence by the members of the public who were risking to cross the flooded area after the government closed the road and declared it unsafe for pedestrians.

He asked the public to be patient and suspend travel plans to Garissa, Mombasa, or Nairobi until the water levels subside.

On his part, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama termed the boat tragedy unfortunate and urged public members to avoid putting their lives at risk.

He called for arresting all those operating the boat, which he said was unlicensed by both Garissa and Tana River counties.

“They are criminals driven by greed; they had no regard for the safety of the public. We call upon the government to immediately apprehend them,” said Nathif.

He also blamed the Kenya National Highways Authority for neglecting the section of the road that was destroyed by the El Nino rains.