A 49-year-old fisherman drowned on Tuesday at Sindo Gateway Beach in Suba Central Sub-County while attempting to retrieve his boat after it was swept away by strong waves on Lake Victoria.

The victim, identified as George Odhiambo, had docked his boat on the shore when a storm broke the rope securing it, causing the vessel to drift towards deeper waters. Odhiambo and a friend dashed into the lake to recover it.

According to witnesses, Odhiambo got stuck in deep mud as he waded into the water and was unable to untangle himself. He collapsed and sank shortly thereafter.

Homa Bay County Beach Management Unit (BMU) Chairman Edward Oremo, said fishermen who were in the vicinity later used a net to retrieve the body.

“Our colleagues who were at the scene used a fishing net and retrieved his body some hours later,” he said.

Suba Central Sub-County Police Commander, Caxton Ndunda, confirmed the incident and urged residents to wear life jackets when getting into the lake, noting that Odhiambo had none at the time.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sitna Omar