As the sun dipped below the horizon of Lake Turkana, a grieving mother cast flowers into the water in memory of her 14-year-old daughter, Hiyab, who drowned while attempting to migrate to Kenya. Senait Mebrehtu, an Eritrean asylum seeker, traveled to the lake’s shores to bear witness to the site of her daughter’s tragic fate—a journey as perilous as it was desperate.
Hiyab had embarked on the fateful crossing with her sister, who fortunately survived the ordeal after clinging to the capsized boat until rescued. Senait, who fled Eritrea’s oppressive regime three years prior, shared her anguish, expressing that had she known of the treacherous voyage, she would have never allowed her daughters to attempt the journey.
Initially arriving in Nairobi with two younger children—having fled forced military conscription and religious persecution—Senait had left her older daughters behind. Despite her efforts to consult relatives over the risks, the teenagers chose to brave the perilous journey with smugglers. These smugglers exploit the desperation for a better life, leading migrants through hazardous routes by road and foot from Eritrea to Ethiopia before reaching Kenya’s expansive desert lake.
A smuggler embedded in this network revealed the emergence of Lake Turkana as a new avenue for migrants, dubbed the “digital route.” With increasing border patrols, smugglers have turned to this illegal waterway to facilitate crossings, pocketing exorbitant sums that are well beyond the local salary average. Amidst the profit-driven landscape, the smuggler expressed concern, warning against allowing children to make such dangerous crossings unaccompanied.
The sadness deepened as stories of horror emerged, with testimonies of multiple deaths at the lake due to overcrowding and negligence. Onlookers have reported seeing bodies wash ashore, underscoring the ongoing human tragedy. The situation has intensified with the UN refugee agency noting a significant rise in Eritrean refugees due to ongoing conflicts in the region.
As countries like Kenya and Uganda become more favored destinations amidst regional turmoil, stories continue to emerge of desperate families entrusting smugglers with their loved ones' lives. The grim reality reveals the plight of many, where hopes are often met with brutality as they navigate through makeshift holding houses and the exploitation of vulnerable migrants.
Amidst the sorrow, Senait reflects on her loss while remaining grateful that her elder daughter escaped harm. She laments the relentless cycle affecting Eritrean families and pleads for peace in her homeland, echoing a heartfelt wish for healing for all those affected. The waters of Lake Turkana, once a haven, have become a grave reminder of the cost of desperation and the heart-wrenching choices families are faced with amidst the trials of migration.
