As the sun set over Kenya's Lake Turkana, Senait Mebrehtu, an Eritrean mother, mourned the tragic loss of her teenage daughter, Hiyab, who drowned while navigating a perilous route used by human smugglers. The emotional gathering marked a painful remembrance for Senait, who had fled Eritrea seeking asylum but faced heart-wrenching tragedy when her daughters attempted to reach safety.
Senait reflected on her decision to send her daughters on a journey she believed would deliver them from potential military conscription in their home country, known for its oppressive regime and forced national service. "If the smugglers told me there was such a dangerous lake in Kenya, I wouldn’t have let my daughters come this far," she lamented.
Under the cover of darkness, Hiyab and her sister embarked on a journey from Eritrea through Ethiopia to Kenya, a trek managed by traffickers who continue to exploit the desperation of families. A female smuggler, now operating on the increasingly popular “digital route” through Lake Turkana, disclosed details of her longstanding role in this complex network. As patrols on land intensified, smugglers have adapted their operations.
The tragedy unfolded as the boat Hiyab was on capsized, leading to the loss of seven lives, including hers. Surviving by clinging to debris, Hiyab's sister witnessed the chaos unfold but managed to escape, her sister’s absence leaving a void in their family.
Senait held smugglers accountable for the tragedy, asserting, "They put too many people in a small boat that couldn't even carry five." Locals near Lake Turkana have raised alarms, with reported sightings of bodies believed to be migrants washed ashore, underscoring the urgent need for awareness about the risks.
With approximately 345,000 Eritrean refugees reportedly in East Africa, many, like Senait's daughters, seek refuge from the harsh realities in their homeland. As families continue to risk it all in pursuit of safety, the grim realities of the smuggling operations highlight a disturbing pattern of exploitation, danger, and loss.
In the face of her heartbreak, Senait hopes for healing for her homeland: "May God heal our land and deliver us from all this." She joins the multitude of voices pleading for attention to the plight of vulnerable migrants facing a perilous journey towards freedom.
Senait reflected on her decision to send her daughters on a journey she believed would deliver them from potential military conscription in their home country, known for its oppressive regime and forced national service. "If the smugglers told me there was such a dangerous lake in Kenya, I wouldn’t have let my daughters come this far," she lamented.
Under the cover of darkness, Hiyab and her sister embarked on a journey from Eritrea through Ethiopia to Kenya, a trek managed by traffickers who continue to exploit the desperation of families. A female smuggler, now operating on the increasingly popular “digital route” through Lake Turkana, disclosed details of her longstanding role in this complex network. As patrols on land intensified, smugglers have adapted their operations.
The tragedy unfolded as the boat Hiyab was on capsized, leading to the loss of seven lives, including hers. Surviving by clinging to debris, Hiyab's sister witnessed the chaos unfold but managed to escape, her sister’s absence leaving a void in their family.
Senait held smugglers accountable for the tragedy, asserting, "They put too many people in a small boat that couldn't even carry five." Locals near Lake Turkana have raised alarms, with reported sightings of bodies believed to be migrants washed ashore, underscoring the urgent need for awareness about the risks.
With approximately 345,000 Eritrean refugees reportedly in East Africa, many, like Senait's daughters, seek refuge from the harsh realities in their homeland. As families continue to risk it all in pursuit of safety, the grim realities of the smuggling operations highlight a disturbing pattern of exploitation, danger, and loss.
In the face of her heartbreak, Senait hopes for healing for her homeland: "May God heal our land and deliver us from all this." She joins the multitude of voices pleading for attention to the plight of vulnerable migrants facing a perilous journey towards freedom.
