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A 34-year-old fisherman died on Thursday night after he slipped and drowned when he was peeing in Lake Vitoria.
Wycliffe Omondi who conducts his fishing activities at Sare beach in Suba South constituency is reported to have slipped from a boat they were using for fishing.
Omondi was in company of three colleagues during their fishing expedition near Migingo Island in Migori county.
There were some water waves in the lake at the time.
“Omondi stood in the boat to relieve himself in the water when he unfortunately slipped and drowned,” a colleague said.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Suba South Beach Management Unit chairman William Onditi said the drowning was caused by a strong wind that prevailed in the lake.
He argued that the wind shook the boat making Omondi lose balance before he slipped and fell into the water.
His fellow fishermen tried to rescue him by swimming but he drowned and the body disappeared in the water.
“The body sunk in the water at the deeper part of the lake. His colleagues tried in vain to rescue him,” Onditi said.
The BMU official said they are working with security officers and local divers to retrieve the body.
“A group of fishermen and local drivers have already left Suba South for Migingo to go and try retrieving the body.We appeal for calm,” Onditi said.
Onditi urged his fellow fishermen to avoid movement in the lake during strong winds. He wants them to always put on life saving jackets.
“It is important for fishermen to use anchors and stop their boats when there is a storm in the lake. This makes boats stable and reduce cases of accidents,” he said.
A number of fishermen have died in Lake Victoria during fishing expedition following bad weather.
