Locals drown in Lake Naivasha over use of makeshift boats

Some of the makeshift boats popularly known as 'Juigi' that have been confiscated by fisheries officers in Lake Naivasha. The increase in the number of such boats has seen cases of drowning in the lake soar. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

The introduction of makeshift boats has been blamed for the rise in drowning cases and hippo attacks in Lake Naivasha.

With the harsh economic times coupled with job losses, youths have turned to fishing to earn a living.

This has seen scores killed by hippos while others have drowned while using the locally made jerrican-boats popularly known as ‘Juigi.’

Since the year began, more than 30 people have died in the lake after drowning or being killed by hippos and their are fears that the number could rise in the coming days.

Lake Naivasha Network group secretary Grace Nyambura regretted that majority of those who drowned were using empty jerricans as makeshift boats along the shores of the lake.

Nyambura said use of makeshift boats was common with tens of minors dropping out of school to join the illegal but lucrative fish trade.

“We have noticed a trend where minors have now joined the illegal fishing and we are asking the government to intervene before more lives are lost,” she said

Friends of Lake Naivasha chairman Francis Muthui, noted that majority of those who had drowned in the lake were aged below 25.

Muthui said recently, two men aged 20 and 21 drowned in Kasarani while illegally fishing on the shores of the lake.

“We are deeply concerned by the rising cases of drowning in the lake involving very young men and it’s time the necessary arms of the government intervened,” he said

He noted that in the last couple of years, the number of hippos had doubled leading to an increase in fatal attacks.

“Due to an increase in the number of illegal fishermen and reduced grazing spaces, the animals have become very aggressive attacking anyone in sight,” he said.

Karobia Kiratu from Haki Jamii Rights Center said that poverty and lack of jobs had led to the high number of deaths around the lake.

He noted that the majority of those involved in illegal fishing were former flower farm or hotel workers struggling to fend for their families.

“Currently, tens of young people have invaded the lake in search of their daily bread and there is a need to offer them an alternative solution as one way of resolving the drowning cases,” he said.