Fishermen net bombs in Lake Victoria

One of the three colonial bombs that was found in Lake Victoria by fishermen in Kiumba beach in Rusinga Island, Homa Bay County. PHOTO | GEORGE ODIWUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The corroded weapons are suspected to have been dropped or dumped in the lake by colonialists.

  • Bomb experts from Kisumu County set to examine the weapons to determine when they were dropped in the lake.

  • DCI says police officers have been constantly engaging fishermen on the dangers of colonial bombs.

Fear engulfed a fishing village in Kiumba Beach in Rusinga Island in Homa Bay County after a group of fishermen came ashore with three bombs instead of fish.

The fishermen, who were on their usual fishing expedition on Lake Victoria on Monday evening expected to catch fish, instead their fishing gears caught bombs.

The corroded weapons — neatly stored in a wooden box and deep on the lake bed — are suspected to have been dropped or dumped in the lake by colonialists.

Bomb experts from Kisumu County are set to examine the corroded weapons that were caught by fishermen in Lake Victoria. PHOTO | GEORGE ODIWUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP

'EXAMINE WEAPONS'

Kiumba Beach Management Unit's chairperson Samuel Odira said fishermen who discovered the bombs alerted local authorities.

“After getting information that the weapons were in the water, my office quickly engaged other beach officials who managed to take the weapons to dry land,” he said.

One of the bombs caught by fishermen's nets in Lake Victoria. PHOTO | GEORGE ODIWUOR | NATION MEDIA GRUOP

Homa Bay County Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss Daniel Wachira said bomb experts from Kisumu County will examine the weapons.

The experts will determine their destructive power, weight and when they were dropped in the lake.

Mr Wachira said police officers have been constantly engaging fishermen on the dangers of colonial bombs.

“This is not the first time the weapons have been found in the lake. We do not know the number of bombs that might have been dropped in the water,” he said.

The officer cautioned fishermen against opening or destroying bombs.

“The weapons will be handled by experts. I urge fishermen to report to us whenever they find suspicious items in the lake,” Mr Wachira said on Tuesday.