Body of Tanzanian fisherman retrieved

Wycliffe Omondi went fishing with his three colleagues near Migingo Island two weeks ago. [File, Standard]

The body of a Tanzanian fisherman who drowned in Lake Victoria a fortnight ago has been retrieved.

The decomposing body of Wycliffe Omondi was recovered in Lake Victoria near Migingo Island in Migori County.

Omondi has been fishing in Kenya and attached to Sare beach in Suba Sub-county last.

It was reported that Omondi went fishing with his three colleagues near Migingo Island two weeks ago and he felt the need of going for a short call.

He decided to stand in the boat to relieve himself in the water. However, he suddenly fell into the water after strong wind destabilised the boat.

Omondi tried to swim in order to rescue himself but his efforts were in vain. Instead of floating on the water, he sank immediately.

His fellow fishermen tried to rescue him but the body had already disappeared.

Suba Sub-county Beach Management Unit chairman William Onditi said they had dispatched a team to try and retrieve the body.

"We have managed to recover his body after the retrieval exercise that went on for more than 10 days. The body is in a bad state," Onditi said.

The chairman said they had liaised with Omondi's family who were on their way to pick up the body.

"His family members are about to arrive to pick up the body for burial in Tanzania," Onditi said.

The chairman urged fishermen to avoid movement in the lake during strong winds.

"Let fishermen be patient and use anchors to stop their boats when there is a storm to avoid accidents," Onditi said.

He also urged fishermen to be putting on life jackets when going into the lake.

"It is important to put on life jackets because they help to prevent death in case of an emergency," Onditi said.

Lake Victoria has claimed the lives of many fishermen in the recent past. Both fishermen and passengers have lost their lives in the lake.