Three fishermen died after their boat capsized at Kadiala beach, South Uyoma Ward, Rarieda Sub-county on the eve of the new year.
The incident brings to nine the number of people who have drowned in the waters in the last two weeks.
According to Rarieda Fishermen Secretary Victor Bungu, the fishermen were coming from the normal daily fishing activities in the lake, and before reaching Kadiala Beach, the strong wind emerged causing their boat to capsize.
“The trio were coming back from fishing, the boat capsized next to Kadiala at around 4:30 PM while they were about to dock at the shows of the lake,” Bungu said.
The victims were covered by the boat and could not save themselves despite having life-saving jackets.
The trio included Cleophas Otieno, aged 49, Stephen Omondi, 29, and Alex Oduor 29.
Their Colleagues at Kadiala Beach Unit left at 5:00 pm to rescue them after being alerted but found the trio dead.
Bungu asked the County Government of Siaya to provide patrol boats on the beaches to help respond to such incidents in the future.
“We would have responded to the deceased distress call if we could have Speed patrol boats,” Bungu stated adding that it took the fishermen 50 minutes to travel with their engine boats to the scene of the incident.
The bodies of the deceased persons were moved to Madiany Hospital in Rarieda pending autopsy.
At the same time, three students from the University of Nairobi drowned after a boat they were in capsized in Lake Victoria in Budalang'i, Busia county, on Saturday, December 31.
According to Budalang’i police boss Isaiah Mose, the students were taking a selfie when the tragedy struck on Saturday evening.
Four others were rescued by residents who responded to the scene.
The incidents come only a few days after four people lost their lives in Mombassa and Siaya County respectively.
On December 25, two people drowned at the popular Pirates Beach in Mombasa on Christmas Day after their boat capsized.
Police said there were 12 people on board when the incident happened.
Mombasa County Police Commander Stephen Matu said the two were among 12 family members who had travelled from Nairobi and had hired a boat for a short trip into the deep seas off the usually crowded public beach in the outskirts of Mombasa city.
While in Bondo two brothers drowned after their boat capsized near Sirongo beach in Lake Victoria on Tuesday, December 27.
Dedan Omondi Damai aged 22 and Wycliffe Onyango Damai, 21, were on a fishing expedition on Tuesday evening when their boat capsized due to strong winds.
"Omondi (22) and Onyango (21) who were blood brothers decided to go fishing so as to get resources to support their family and to continue celebrating Christmas. The duo had left Sika beach to lay net traps at Sirongo,” Odembo added.
He said the brothers were returning to Sika when the mighty wind started blowing. They were overwhelmed and the strong wind made their boat capsize.
The bodies were recovered on Friday and moved to Bondo Sub-county Hospital morgue.
