Mourning in Silence: A Mother’s Heartbreak Over Migrant Smuggling Tragedy

Senait Mebrehtu’s quest to understand her daughter’s tragic drowning serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by migrants underserved and exploited by traffickers.

As the sun dipped below the horizon of Lake Turkana, Senait Mebrehtu poured her grief into petals tossed into the murky waters, mourning the loss of her 14-year-old daughter, Hiyab, who drowned last year while navigating a treacherous smuggling route into Kenya. Senait, an Eritrean Pentecostal Christian who sought refuge in Kenya three years prior, traveled to the site of her daughter’s demise alongside her sister, whose survival from the perilous crossing left mixed emotions.

"If the smugglers had warned me about this vast, treacherous lake, I never would have let my daughters attempt the journey," Senait lamented during her pilgrimage on the northwestern shores.

Senait initially fled Eritrea, a country known for its national service and forced labor, bringing her younger children with hopes of safety. However, her two older daughters, including Hiyab, sought to join her, risking their lives with traffickers who promised passage away from their oppressive homeland. This tragic decision led the girls on a harrowing journey that took them by foot and road to the shores of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert lake, where smugglers increasingly exploit vulnerable migrants for profit.

A female smuggler who operates in the region discussed this alarming trend, referring to Lake Turkana as the "digital route," due to the surge in illicit crossings. She revealed the lucrative nature of this business, where smugglers earn approximately $1,500 for each migrant transported, four times the average salary of a Kenyan worker. With increased patrols on land routes, smugglers have adapted by taking their operations to the waterways, effectively threatening countless lives.

Osman, an Eritrean migrant who witnessed Hiyab’s tragic end at sea, recounted the chaos as their boat capsized shortly after departing Ileret. “The boat was overloaded and struggling against the wind,” he recalled, expressing horror at the sight of the vessel overturning, leading to the deaths of seven individuals. Hiyab’s sister managed to stay afloat until rescue arrived, but the loss left an indelible mark on their family.

"Negligence and greed caused these deaths," Senait asserted, holding smugglers accountable for overloading the small craft. Two local fishermen confirmed reports of bodies washing ashore, a grim reminder of the risks faced by those attempting to escape the confines of their homeland.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis has resulted in significant displacement, with 345,000 Eritrean refugees reported in East Africa alone. As conflict and repression continue to plague Eritrea, countries like Kenya and Uganda have become critical transit points for those seeking asylum.

Despite the dangers associated with migration, smugglers persist in their operations, often misguiding families who remain hopeful for their loved ones' safety. Tragically, some migrants settle in Kenya while others dream of traveling further afield to Europe or North America.

Senait’s own experiences echo the stories of countless Eritreans fleeing hardships, as she mourns her daughter’s loss amidst the harsh realities of migrant smuggling. “May God heal our land,” she prayed, reflecting the collective suffering of families caught in this ongoing plight.