Family seeks help as fisherman drowns in Lake Victoria

A 36-year-old man drowned in  Lake Victoria during a fishing expedition near Ngegu Beach in Homa Bay on Monday evening.

The fisherman Willis Okeyo was in the company of his two colleagues before the 8 pm incident.

A search mission to retrieve the body is still ongoing as Okeyo’s family appeals for support for the course.

He reportedly fell into the lake after slipping off the boat in an attempt to cast their net into the water.

Okeyo who was the coxswain, was overwhelmed by the strong waves and drowned.

The other fishermen were Gabriel Ondiek and Fredrick Odhiambo. 

"He slipped from the boat and before we could comprehend what had happened, he fell into the water," they said.

Ngegu Beach Management Unit chairman Caleb Oketch underscored the need for fishermen to arm themselves with protective life jackets as one of the safety measures while fishing.

“A life jacket could have made a big difference in preventing this tragedy,” he said.

This incident comes barely a week after the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Ali Joho proposed the need for the establishment of a search and rescue centre.

CS Joho said the procurement of a helicopter and speedboats is the solution to such issues that affect fishermen.