Fishermen in Lake Victoria, Kenya’s biggest fresh water body, are worried about their lives as erratic weather caused by climate change has led to increased boats tragedies due to strong winds.
The strong winds have become a nightmare to fishermen who depend on the water body for their livelihood.
In the past three days, strong winds that have caused heavy currents in the lake have resulted in boats capsizing and put fishermen’s lives at risk.
In Homa Bay County, six people including a sailor narrowly escaped death on Tuesday morning when the motor boat they were travelling in capsized in Lake Victoria at Kamgere beach in Rusinga Island.
In Dunga Beach, two fishermen escaped death on Tuesday after their boat capsized due to strong waves.
Each year, an estimated 1,000 people die in boating accidents in Lake Victoria.
The Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts that the western part of Kenya, where the lake is located will experience heavy rains accompanied with heavy storms starting this week as the March-May long rainy season kicks off.
John Kiunya, the Network Beach Management Unit Chairman, Kisumu County said the bad weather have become a menace to the fishermen community.
"Fishermen are now even afraid to venture deep water as they do not know whether they will come back safely. This has affected our earnings," he said.
"We appeal to both fishermen and passengers to ensure that they use safety jackets and to venture into the lake only when it is calm to avoid such unfortunate incidences," Kiunya added.
Kiunya said they have speedy boats donated by Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme and well-wishers to rescue fishermen and other people when boats capsizing happen.
Thursday 12 March 2015
http://www.coastweek.com/3810-Drowning-Boat-tragedies-in-Kenya-rise-due-to-bad-weather.htm
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