Homa Bay DCI Probes Fishermen Over Suspected Ritual Drowningsil

Investigators in Homa Bay suspect that some drowning deaths on Lake Victoria may be deliberate killings linked to ritual practices believed to increase fish catches.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) County Commander Jimmy Kisobo said detectives had identified cases in which fishermen allegedly pushed colleagues into the lake and later reported the deaths as accidental drownings. Kisobo said some accounts given by fishermen did not appear credible, particularly reports that victims had slipped or fallen into the water without struggling or calling for help.

Data from the Kenya Maritime Authority shows that 420 accidents were recorded on Lake Victoria over the past decade, resulting in 252 deaths. While many of the incidents have been attributed to poor safety standards, investigators now suspect that some may have involved ritual killings.

Some fishing communities hold traditional beliefs that water bodies require sacrifices to provide abundant fish. William Onditi, chairperson of the Suba South Beach Management Unit, recalled accounts of families burying stones in place of missing bodies before experiencing unusually high fish catches.

The DCI has said drowning reports will now face greater scrutiny. Kisobo warned that fishermen who report such incidents could be treated as suspects and charged with causing death. He also called on Beach Management Units to work with police to record everyone who boards a vessel and confirm that they return safely.

However, Onditi disputed the investigators' interpretation. He said alcohol abuse was a more likely explanation for many drownings, noting that some victims were intoxicated and unable to swim after falling into the lake. He said he did not believe fishermen would kill colleagues in the hope of increasing their catches.

The investigation comes as fishing communities around Lake Victoria face declining fish stocks linked to climate change, pollution and overfishing. The economic pressures facing fishermen have also contributed to the use of illegal fishing practices.