16/09/2026
What was supposed to be a short holiday at the Coast ended in tragedy for a brother and his sister.
Barasa Okomol, who had reportedly planned to vie for the MCA seat in Western Kenya in 2027, had travelled to the Coast last week with his sister, Advocate Cynthia Barasa, for a short holiday.
Everything was going well until Saturday, when the two siblings, together with others, hired a boat to venture into the ocean and enjoy the waters.
However, the weather conditions were reportedly far more dangerous than they had expected. The crew allegedly did not warn them that the waves were unusually strong. Just days earlier, similar waves had reportedly pushed a ferry sideways at Likoni, making it difficult for passengers to disembark.
Far from the shore, the powerful waves overwhelmed the boat, causing it to capsize.
The other passengers and members of the crew managed to swim back to the beach, but Barasa and Cynthia reportedly could not swim. By the time rescuers reached them, it was sadly too late.
Their bodies were later washed ashore by the same ocean they had gone out to enjoy.
A simple holiday had turned into a heartbreaking tragedy, taking the lives of two siblings at once and leaving their family with a loss that words cannot easily explain.
Barasa had reportedly been looking ahead to a political future in 2027, while his sister had built her career as an advocate. They left home expecting to return with memories from a short holiday. Instead, their loved ones are now preparing to lay them to rest.
Sometimes life changes in a matter of minutes.
May the souls of Barasa Okomol and Advocate Cynthia Barasa rest in peace, and may their family find strength during this difficult time.