A search operation is underway on Lake Victoria for the bodies of three fishermen who drowned during a violent confrontation between rival fishing groups from Rarieda and Karachuonyo sub-counties on Sunday night.
The deadly clash occurred near Luanda Kotieno beach after fishermen from Kajimu beach in Karachuonyo allegedly encroached on a protected fish breeding zone.
According to George Owuor Otuoma, the chairman of the Luanda Kotieno Beach Management Unit (BMU), the group had been using illegal fishing gear and refused to leave when challenged.
Otuoma said the confrontation escalated when the Luanda Kotieno patrol team intercepted the intruders, leading to a scuffle in which the Kajimu fishermen allegedly attacked using crude weapons.
In the chaos, their boat overturned, sending them into the waters. Three fishermen drowned, one managed to swim to safety, and five others were rescued by the patrol team.
The rescued men were handed over to police at Aram Police Station and later taken to the Madiany Law Courts, where they now face charges related to the use of illegal fishing equipment and incitement of violence on the lake.
Otuoma condemned the persistent use of illegal fishing gear, calling it a major trigger of conflict across Lake Victoria. He urged the government to intensify enforcement to protect lives and safeguard the lake’s dwindling fish stocks.
Competition for shrinking fish populations continues to fuel tensions among lakeside communities. As demand for fish rises with population growth, fishermen increasingly rely on the lake for survival, heightening disputes over access to reliable fishing grounds and putting more pressure on already fragile resources.
