Increased boat accidents in Lake Victoria have brought the safety of fishermen and other boat users in the lake into a sharp focus.
Hardly a month passes without a boat capsizing. Some incidents are minor, others are fatal.
On Wednesday, three fishermen died in a boat tragedy after heavy winds swayed and then overturned the vessel.
Police identified the three as Ibrahim Okal, Raymond Otieno and Tobias Ouma.
Relatives wait for the bodies of four people who drowned in Lake Victoria at Sirongo Beach in Bondo, Siaya County, on June 12, 2017. Many lives have been lost in the lake due to bad weather and disregard of safety measures. PHOTO | TONY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
In March this year, five people drowned when their boat overturned in the lake in Budalang'i Constituency.
Seventeen other passengers, who were aboard the ill-fated vessel, were rescued by fishermen.
And in June last year, a boat ferrying 17 artistes of the Boyieta Wuod Awasi music group from Lihunda beach in Bondo sunk en route to the Ndenda Island in Siaya CountyOy.
Only eight members of the team were rescued in the 9am accident in Central Sakwa Ward in Nyangoma Division. The rest perished.
A man carries a passenger from a boat at Koginga Beach of Lake Victoria in Homa Bay Town on September 10, 2017. Many boat users and operators ignore safety measures. PHOTO | BARACK ODUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The rising incidents have been blamed on erratic weather, overloaded boats and lack of safety equipment.
"The county government and the Kenya Maritime Authority should honour its promise of life jackets and speedboats to help us reduce the number of such incidences in the lake," Mr Edward Orem, the Lake Victoria Beach Management Network chairman, told the Nation.
“We are still waiting for the 20,000 lifesaving jackets and two speedboats promised to us by the county government of Homa Bay.”
Faced with decreasing fish stocks in the second largest fresh water lake in the world, countries sharing the Lake have moved to institute stringent measures to control fishing in the shared water body.
In June, the EAC for example, launched the Lake Victoria Fisheries Management Plan III (FMP III) 2016-2020 in Arusha, meant to help the precious Nile Perch breed recover from dwindling numbers, as well as sustain the resources in the Lake.
Villagers from Lihunda Beach in Lake Victoria stay put at the shores of the waters as they wait for bodies of the nine band members who died after their boat capsized October 7, 2016. PHOTO | TONY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Uganda, which owns 45 per cent of the lake, deployed the military to watch over any illegal fishing.
Last year, Kenya enacted the Fisheries Management Development Act, which allow the country to deploy security forces against illegal fishing in its waters, as well as establish conservation plans.
They says they have to move away from the identified breeding zones and deep into the Lake yet they have poor safety equipment.
According to Joseph Olando, a beach manager of Uwii Beach of Lake Victoria, fishermen lack modern fishing tools such as speed boats and modern fishing gear.
"Using of traditional boats and old fishing gears has also contributed to accidents in the lake," said Mr Olando.
A boat operator alight from a boat after a ride in Lake Victoria at the Lwang'ni Beach. Many don't have safety kits. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
He said the county government of Homa Bay had promised fishermen in the lake about 20,000 lifesaving jackets and two speedboats, a promise that that remains unfulfilled.
County Executive for Agriculture Fisheries Eliud Otieno said the fishermen shall receive the jackets this month.
"The lifesaving jackets makes fishermen perform their duties without any worries," said Mr Otieno.
He explained that the county government was committed to ensuring that safety measures are adhered to by fishermen to avoid deaths.
Mr Oremo urged the county governments bordering lake Victoria such as Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Busia to work together in promoting the welfare of fishermen.
Passengers load their belongings into a boat in Mbita town ready for a trip to Mfangano Island . Most boat accidents in Lake Victoria are caused by disregard of marine safety measures. PHOTO | BARACK ODUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP
"Governors in the counties bordering Lake Victoria should work together to promote the welfare of fishermen in the lake," urged Mr Oremo.
Suba North police chief Wilson Nanga attributed the accidents to strong winds and lack of lifesaving jackets.
"The accidents are usually caused by unexpected strong winds and lack of life saving jackets among the fishermen," said Mr Nanga.
