What began as a normal fishing expedition at Lela Beach in Homa Bay County turned tragic when a third-year university student, Dancun Otenga, lost his life during a violent confrontation between rival groups of fishermen.
Otenga, who studied at Meru University, had joined local fishermen for the outing, unaware that territorial tensions were simmering between the Lela and Kisaka Beach communities.
A deadly dispute over waters
The conflict erupted over access to a disputed fish breeding zone near Kisaka Beach, situated along Lake Victoria in Suba North.
Eyewitnesses say that fishermen from Kisaka confronted the Lela group, accusing them of intruding into their fishing grounds. The verbal argument quickly escalated into physical violence.
During the chaos, Otenga was reportedly struck in the face with stones and other crude weapons while still inside their boat. Unable to defend himself, he was rendered unconscious and tragically drowned in the lake.
Search and grief
After a tense three-day search led by local fishermen, Otenga’s lifeless body was retrieved from the water on Wednesday, April 23.
His family, devastated by the loss, is now demanding justice. “We need answers and swift action,” said his mother, Milliecent Otenga, as she called upon authorities to apprehend those responsible for her son’s brutal death.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from county officials. Sarah Malit, Homa Bay County CEC for Fisheries and Blue Economy, vowed to work closely with security teams to ensure the suspects face legal action.
“This violence cannot be allowed to continue. We must protect lives and livelihoods,” she stated.
Shockingly, this was not an isolated event. Just a week earlier, another fisherman, 39-year-old Fredrick Ooko from Gode Ariyo Beach, died during a similar clash at Misori Beach, also over territorial fishing rights.
These incidents reflect growing tensions over dwindling fish resources and unclear territorial boundaries. As violence on Lake Victoria rises, local leaders and law enforcement are under pressure to create lasting solutions that prioritize safety and sustainability for all fishing communities
