As the sun dipped below the horizon at Lake Turkana, Senait Mebrehtu found herself enveloped in sorrow, mourning the loss of her 14-year-old daughter, Hiyab, who tragically drowned while attempting to cross into Kenya via a perilous route utilized by human traffickers. Accompanied by her other children, Senait made this pilgrimage to the northwestern shores of the lake, a stark reminder of the risks her daughters faced in pursuit of safety and freedom from the oppressive regime of Eritrea.
Having fled religious persecution and sought asylum in Kenya three years prior, Senait's journey began when her older daughters, yearning to join her, were compelled to resort to smugglers, despite the inherent dangers. "If I had known about the expanse of this treacherous lake," she reflected, "I would never have allowed my daughters to undertake such a journey."
The growing use of Lake Turkana as a smuggling route is alarming, with traffickers like one female smuggler confirming its rising popularity among those escaping instability in Eritrea and neighboring countries. As law enforcement intensifies patrols on roads, traffickers have transitioned their strategies to exploit the lake’s vastness for their illegal operations.
Witnesses, including workers from the fishing village of Ileret, recounted seeing Hiyab’s boat capsize shortly after departing, driven by strong winds. Tragically, Hiyab was among seven who perished in the incident. The negligence of the smugglers, who overloaded the boat with more than 20 individuals, led to this heartbreaking consequence, according to her mother. The perilous dynamics of these crossings have resulted in frequent tragedies, with reports of bodies surfacing in the lake just months ago.
Current data from the UN refugee agency indicates that approximately 345,000 Eritreans are seeking refuge in East Africa, many fleeing compulsory military service and lack of freedoms. The smuggling operations utilizing Lake Turkana reflect a sobering reality for families like Senait’s, who desperately seek a peaceful existence but are met with harrowing struggles instead.
Legal experts indicated a growing tendency for migrants to view Kenya not only as a destination but a waypoint on the journey toward other countries. This complex web of smuggling often leads to transit points where migrants endure exploitation and violence, with little recourse or support.
Senait’s grief echoes the pain felt by countless families navigating this tragic reality. Her relentless hope is for a future devoid of such torment, as she continues to advocate for recognition and action against the systemic exploitation that endangers those like her daughter. “May God heal our land and deliver us from all this,” she concluded, a poignant reminder that the fight for justice and safety remains an urgent priority for vulnerable populations across East Africa.
