Three Fishermen Drown in Lake Victoria After Clash Over Breeding Zone
A patrol team intercepted the group, sparking a scuffle in which the Kajimu fishermen reportedly attacked using crude weapons. In the chaos, their boat capsized, leading to the drowning of three fishermen. One man swam to safety, while five others were rescued by the patrol team
A search mission is ongoing on Lake Victoria following the drowning of three fishermen during a violent confrontation between groups from Rarieda and Karachuonyo sub-counties on Sunday night
The conflict erupted near Luanda Kotieno beach after fishermen from Kajimu beach in Karachuonyo allegedly encroached on a protected fish breeding zone
According to George Owuor Otuoma, chairman of the Luanda Kotieno Beach Management Unit (BMU), the intruders were using illegal fishing gear and defied orders to leave
A patrol team intercepted the group, sparking a scuffle in which the Kajimu fishermen reportedly attacked using crude weapons
In the chaos, their boat capsized, leading to the drowning of three fishermen. One man swam to safety, while five others were rescued by the patrol team
The rescued fishermen were handed over to police at Aram Police Station and later arraigned at the Madiany Law Courts. They face charges related to using illegal gear and inciting violence on the lake
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Otuoma condemned the continued use of prohibited fishing equipment, linking it to frequent conflicts and fatalities on Lake Victoria
He urged the government to take decisive action to end illegal fishing practices to prevent further loss of life
Efforts to retrieve the bodies of the three missing fishermen are still underway
Writer : Mweru Mbugua
