Three fishermen were on Wednesday injured at Litare beach in Suba North Constituency, Homa Bay County during a conflict among fishermen from Rusinga Island over fishing boundaries in Lake Victoria.
The fishermen were attacked by their colleagues from Wanyama beach as they were scrambling for fishing space leaving the three injured.
According to one of the fishermen from Litare beach Felix Abonyo, fishermen from Litare and Wanyama beaches had conflict over boundaries in the lake which resulted in physical fights while they were fishing.
Abonyo said that the boundary was marked by beach management from Wanyama beach after holding a secret meeting a few days ago and they were attacked after crossing the illegal boundary.
“We were on our everyday fishing expedition when we were attacked by over 40 people when we reached Kiumba. These people were beating us with stones and clubs while accusing us of crossing the boundary,” said Abonyo.
Three boats and other fishing gear belonging to Litare fishermen were confiscated and taken to Kiumba beach during the attack.
Rusinga West Location Chief Denis Okello was among government officers who were called to meditate on the attack. Okello said that his office was not involved when the said boundaries in the lake were being demarcated, an action which was done against the rules.
“Officials from Rusinga came to Litare saying that they were going to mark boundaries in the water, something that has led to tension between the two beaches until the attack yesterday.
Mbita Sub-County Police Commander Stanley Atavachi who confirmed the incident said that the lake in Kenya has no boundaries and those who are blocking fishermen from the lake are committing an offence.
Atavachi said that they will take action against fishermen who attacked their colleagues after concluding their investigations.
