In a tragic incident in Suba North constituency, Homa Bay County, two fishermen lost their lives in Lake Victoria following a dispute over a fish breeding zone.
Enock Opiyo, aged 25, and Dancan Okoth, aged 40, both from Uwi Beach, drowned on Tuesday evening during a physical altercation with their counterparts from Koginga Beach.
The area chief, Charles Ngoe, recounted that the trouble began when a group of fishermen from Koginga encroached upon a fish breeding area in Uwi, where fishing activities were prohibited.
In response, five fishermen from Uwi Beach swiftly deployed their patrol boat to intervene and halt the fishing activities of their Koginga counterparts.
A confrontation ensued when the Uwi fishermen urged their colleagues to cease casting nets in the restricted breeding zone, but the group from Koginga remained adamant about their fishing endeavors.
Amidst the disagreement, tensions escalated to a point where the Koginga fishermen forcefully struck the Uwi fishermen’s boat, causing it to overturn and capsize in the lake.
Tragically, two fishermen lost their lives instantly, while three others were successfully rescued from the water. Following the incident, a search operation commenced promptly on Wednesday morning to recover the bodies of the deceased.
This devastating event serves as a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in disputes over natural resources. The loss of Enock Opiyo and Dancan Okoth has cast a shadow over the community of Uwi Beach, leaving families and friends grieving.
As efforts continue to retrieve their bodies, it is imperative for stakeholders to address the underlying issues contributing to such conflicts to prevent further loss of life.
The incident underscores the importance of promoting peaceful resolution mechanisms and enforcing regulations to protect both the environment and the livelihoods of fishing communities.
As the search operation perseveres, the community remains united in mourning the loss of their fellow fishermen and offering support to their grieving families.
