Hyacinth engulfs boat trapping fishermen

Fishermen who had been stranded at Dunga Beach in Lake Victoria due to the water hyacinth on Sunday.  [PHOTOS: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

By Rushdie Oudia

A strong wind swept the seaweed towards their vessel leaving them stranded for more than 15 hours

Six fishermen were trapped in Lake Victoria’s Dunga Beach, Kisumu County for more than 15 hours.

Four others were trapped for about eight hours, and were rescued yesterday morning, with the other six.

Dunga Beach Management Secretary Richard Ochuodho said a fisherman swam from the shore with a rope that was tied on the boat and pulled it.

The fishers were entrapped after their boat was surrounded by water hyacinth from Sunday, at around 3pm.

One of the victims, John Oyugi, said when they left for the fishing expedition, the lake was clear.

Oyugi said as they were headed to Dunga beach from their fishing activities strong winds swept the weeds that engulfed their vessel.

“We were stuck in the lake for several hours, struggling to find a way to safety as no help could reach us,” said Oyugi.

Wind direction

A fish vendor, Rose Achieng, said she arrived at the beach at 6am and waited for fish for close to five hours, adding that she wanted to get the commodity on time.

“I always get my fish by 8.30am but it was delayed up to 11am,” said the disappointed fish seller, who was among five other traders whose business were affected.

Ochuodho called on the Government and Kenya Maritime Authority to advise the fishermen on wind direction in advance to avoid such cases.The incident comes barely a month after a fishing expedition by ten fishermen hit a snag when their boats were trapped on the same beach.

The fishermen had been stranded in the lake for more than nine hours after which the first group found their way to safety while others had to wait until water cleared in the wee hours of the morning.

They were heading to landing beaches from their fishing activities when strong winds swept the weeds that choked their vessels near Dunga beach.

The weed poses a great threat to the lakeside town’s economy.