Over 70 fishermen rescued from L. Victoria

By JAMES OMORO

Over 70 fishermen who were trapped in Lake Victoria for three days have been rescued after their boats were blocked by water hyacinth.

The fishers who were in deteriorating health conditions were rescued with the help of a chopper from the Kenya Wildlife Service, which arrived at the scene on Friday evening.

Rachuonyo North DC William Lenaremo said the chopper airlifted 12 fishermen who were in three boats, and far from the shore.

However, the other 62 managed to get out on their own as they struggled to push water hyacinth to pave way for their transport.

The victims were rushed to Kendu Bay District Hospital where they were treated and discharged.

The fishermen who hailed from Seko, Rakwaro and Rambira beaches went fishing on Wednesday evening in about 24 boats but got stuck after the water hyacinth clogged the lake.

They were in 19 boats where each of the boats carried an average of four people.

The boats got stuck at different parts of the lake, from the mainland after the weed came in a storm and clogged the entire area they were fishing in.

The situation rendered the efforts of the fishermen to get out of the water fruitless.

The fishermen were forced to stay in the water for three days, as they struggled to communicate to people save them.

Otieno Ogwang’ one of the fishers said he is excited to have been saved.

 “I thank God to be alive. We were dying of hunger and heavy rains and cold weather,” Mr Ogwang’ said.

Area DC William Lenaremo urged fishermen to desist from entering the lake when the weed has engulfed it.