Fishermen in Lake Victoria have urged the government to intensify security surveillance on Lake Victoria following deaths of three fishermen in quick succession.
In one of the incident, a fisherman identified as Moses Ngige died at Uyoga Beach in Mbita Sub-County over the weekend.
Ngigi, who operated at the beach reportedly slipped into the lake and drowned while bathing. A search team retrieved the body which was moved to MED 25 Kirindo Mortuary.
The incident came hot in the heels of another incident in which two other fishermen identified as Paul Otieno and George Otieno drowned.
Otieno Paul who operates at Sare Beach in Suba Sub-County drowned on his way to Nyatike.
He slipped from his boat into the lake, drowned and efforts by fellow fishermen to rescue him proved futile.
His body disappeared in the water before being retrieved on Sunday and was moved to Manyatta Kobodo Mortuary.
On his part, George drowned at Osiri Beach in Suba Sub-County when he slipped from a boat during a fishing expedition. H
is body was moved to Sindo Sub-County Hospital Mortuary.
Homa Bay County Beach Management Network Chairman Edward Oremo urged the Kenya Coastguard Service to intensify safety compliance.
‘We cannot compromise safety in Lake Victoria. Losing three fishermen in such a short time is painful,’ Oremo said.
He also urged the Kenya Maritime Authority and Homa Bay County government to set up rescue centers for fishermen in the lake.
‘Our colleagues who died would have been saved if we had rescue centers,’ Oremo said.
He directed all Chairmen of all beaches in the County to restrain fishermen who go to fish in the lake without putting on life jackets.
‘Our Beach Management Units chairmen should ensure that any fisherman who goes into the lake puts on a life jacket,’ Oremo added.
Mbita Sub-County Police Commander Solomon Barngetuny and his Suba counterpart Caxton Ndunda confirmed the incidents.
‘Ngige was bathing with his friends before he died. Let fishermen and lake users observe safety measures when using th
e waters,’ Barngetuny
Source: Kenya News Agency