In 2012, newlyweds Martin Kirimi and Mary Mwangi set off on their honeymoon to Zanzibar. But the Meru couple never returned. Their families have spent 12 years searching for answers, but the mystery remains unsolved.
The couple married on July 14, 2012, in a ceremony at Seagull Gardens along Thika Road. They planned a 10-day honeymoon in Zanzibar, traveling by bus to Dar es Salaam and then taking a ferry to the island.
Their last known contact was on July 17, 2012, at the Namanga border. Martin assured his brother-in-law, Maina Kariuki, that he would call once they arrived in Zanzibar. That call never came.
On July 18, 2012, the MV Skagit ferry capsized near Chumbe Island. Over 150 people died. Fearing the worst, Martin and Mary’s relatives rushed to Tanzania to search for them.
The MV Skagit ferry was an old vessel with serious safety issues. Originally put up for sale on eBay but unsold, it was later bought by Seagull International in Tanzania despite having only three years left in its 25-year lifespan. Authorities had reduced its capacity from 250 to 148 passengers due to instability, but safety warnings were ignored. On July 18, 2012, it was overcrowded with nearly 300 people when it capsized near Chumbe Island due to strong winds, killing over 150 passengers.
Was the Missing Ferry Couple on Board the MV Skagit Ferry?
Their names were not on the ferry’s passenger list. No bodies matching their descriptions were found. The bus company confirmed they had arrived in Dar es Salaam, but records at their Zanzibar hotel showed no sign of their stay.
At the time of their disappearance, Martin was a nurse at Aga Khan University Hospital, and Mary was a kindergarten teacher in Westlands. They had postponed their trip by a day to get yellow fever vaccinations. Before crossing the border, they told their families they would buy Tanzanian SIM cards to stay in touch. After that, they vanished.
The MV Skagit ferry had safety issues. Authorities had reduced its capacity from 250 to 148 passengers, warning that it could not handle rough waters or uneven weight distribution. The company ignored these warnings. On the day it sank, it was carrying nearly 300 people.
Martin’s family in Meru and Mary’s in Nyeri have never found closure. They continue to hope for answers. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.
By Vivian K.