Student killed as fishermen clash in Lake Victoria

A third-year university student was killed during a fight among fishermen near Lake Victoria’s Kisaka Beach in Suba North, Homa-Bay County, over the ownership of fishing grounds.

Dancun Otenga of Meru University went for a fishing expedition at Lela Beach.

He was killed when a fight ensued between fishermen from Lela Beach and their colleagues from Kisaka Beach, who accused them of accessing their fish breeding zone.

The student was among the Lela fishermen.

Homa Bay Town Assistant Chief Salim Nyauke said that the deceased was hit in the face with stones and other crude weapons inside their boat before he became unconscious and drowned.

His body was retrieved on Wednesday after a three-day search by fishermen.

The deceased’s family, led by his mother Milliecent Otenga, has called on the county security team to fasten their investigations and apprehend the suspects behind the murder of their son.

Homa Bay County CEC member in charge of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Sarah Malit, condemned the violence, saying they are collaborating with security to ensure the culprits are brought to book.

Just last weekend, another fisherman was killed during a fight among Lake Victoria fishermen near Misori Beach in Gembe, Homa-Bay County, over the ownership of fishing grounds.

Fredrick Ooko, 39, of Gode Ariyo beach, is reported to have drowned during the Sunday confrontation between fishermen from his beach and their colleagues from Misori Beach Management Unit (BMU).

They were fighting over a fish breeding area.