Man dies during fight over fishing zone between Homa Bay and Siaya fishermen

A 39-year-old man from Gembe Location in Suba North was killed on Sunday, April 20 during a fight between groups of fishermen over the ownership of fishing grounds in Lake Victoria. Fredrick Ooko of Gode Ariyo Beach drowned during the fight between fishermen from Gode Ariyo Beach in Homa Bay County and those from Misori Beach Management Unit in neighboring Siaya County. Gode Ariyo BMU chairperson Daniel Ombuor said the fishermen from Misori accused their colleagues of fishing in an area that had been preserved for breeding of fingerlings. Ombuor said the Misori Beach fishermen had agreed with their colleagues from Gode Ariyo beach to access the fish breeding zone after being paid some fee. But another group from Misori Beach opposed the arrangement. The team that rejected the agreement attacked the Gode Ariyo fishermen. Kayanja Assistant Chief Moses Sirawa said Ombuor’s body has not been recovered. The Kenya Coast Guard Service officers are helping with recovery operation.