A dispute over fishing rights in Lake Victoria turned fatal after a violent confrontation between two groups of fishermen in Mbita Subcounty, Homa Bay County. The conflict, which occurred near Nyaroya Beach, left one fisherman dead and six others seriously injured.
The deceased, identified as 22-year-old Charles Odhiambo, reportedly lost his life in the lake following the skirmish. According to eyewitnesses, the fight erupted when fishermen from Nyaroya Beach Management Unit (BMU) accused their counterparts from Kaugege BMU of encroaching on a reserved fishing area meant for breeding young fish. Efforts to drive out the alleged encroachers failed, leading to a physical altercation that quickly escalated into violence.
During the confrontation, Odhiambo was allegedly attacked with crude weapons before drowning in the lake. His body was later recovered and taken to MED 25 Kirindo Mortuary for post-mortem examination.
Edward Oremo, Chairman of the Homa Bay County Beach Management Network, strongly condemned the incident, urging fishermen to resolve disputes peacefully. He emphasized the need for dialogue in addressing territorial disagreements, warning that violence only exacerbates conflicts.
“The report we have indicates that Odhiambo was killed during the altercation over fishing grounds. This is unfortunate, and we call upon all fishermen to exercise restraint and engage in peaceful conflict resolution,” Oremo stated.
The six injured fishermen were rushed to various medical facilities in Homa Bay County for treatment. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the matter, with Mbita Deputy County Commissioner Peter Mutiso vowing to get to the bottom of the incident.
“We cannot allow fishermen to take the law into their own hands. Fishing disputes should be managed within legal frameworks. I will be holding a public baraza to address the matter and ensure such violence does not recur,” Mutiso said.
Security agencies have been deployed to prevent further clashes, and officials are calling for justice for the family of the deceased. Meanwhile, local leaders continue to urge fishermen to adhere to regulations governing fishing territories to prevent future conflicts.
