Lake Victoria: Student’s close call with a crocodile

The young man told Wananchi Reporting that he is lucky to be alive – and in school.

Richard had a heart-pounding close call with a giant crocodile on the shores of Lake Victoria a few days ago.

The incident happened in Muhuru Bay area, Tagache Sub-Location, in Nyatike South Sub-County within Migori.

Richard said that the incident had left him shaken, to date he still replays the picture in his mind.

“I had gone to the lake to wash my clothes around 2.00 pm. I was standing in the water, almost knee high deep, rinsing a shirt when I suddenly raised my head and saw it, a giant crocodile.

“The crocodile was some five metres away from me, and it was heading right to where I stood rinsing my shirt,” said Richard – who is just now settling in campus.

“I think the crocodile had just emerged to the surface, to gauge where I was exactly, when luckily I saw it in time. I immediately ran out of the water,” he said.

“It was very close to me. I thank God I raised my head just in time,” said Richard.

Richard’s dad, Mr. Robert Oguda, said the incident happened just weeks before his son was set to join the university this August.

“My son came home shaken that afternoon, and even refused to talk about the incident, just process how close he had come to death,” said Oguda.

Tagache Sub-Location Assistant Chief Maureen Saggia told Wananchi Reporting that as administrators in the area, they often sensitise residents whenever a crocodile is sighted.

“Crocodiles are not common in these areas, and that is why whenever one is sighted, we move with speed to inform the Kenya Wildlife Service officials for appropriate action, besides raising awareness among residents to ensure they are cautious when using the lake,” said Saggia.

Nyabomo Sub-Location Assistant Chief Mr. Erick Suna, told Wananchi Reporting that occasional crocodile sightings was slowly becoming a concern to communities living along the lake.

“Many times we conduct barazas where we talk to village heads and other community leaders about these sightings, but also we talk to schools, churches, and pass the message in markets just to let people know that a crocodile may have been sighted in our waters,” said Suna.

Tito A village elder Salim Nyochol said crocodiles have been sighted in different areas.

"There have been sightings in areas like Tito, Bam Got, Kopara, Ratieny, Ka-Gombania, Ka-Herenga," he said -- adding that the crocodiles like to live in areas with reeds.

Nyochol told Wananchi Reporting that parents and guardians are often asked to monitor their children, especially those aged below 18 years, and guests who would want to swim in the lake, as it can be dangerous playing in the waters.

Meanwhile, the lake water levels have been increasing in the past few years due to increased rains – in the process submerging the beautiful sandy beaches.

According to residents, large sections of the lake shore has transformed into marshy spots which provide ideal breeding and hiding grounds for monitors, alligators and crocodiles.

Crocodiles are known to live anywhere with a water source, like rivers, lakes, marshes, streams, swamps and dams.

They can swim underwater for 30 minutes before coming to the surface for oxygen.

Residents in the area have been asked to be careful whenever they visit the lake.