Two fishermen drowned and died while five others were rescued after their boat capsized at the Sindo Beach in L.Victoria during a racing expedition.
The fishermen were surveying racing routes on Wednesday afternoon just before the event kicked off when the incident happened.
“The boat left the beach at 2pm when its occupants decided to identify the turning points on the lake,” John Kisiara, an eyewitness stated.
Kisiara narrated that normally, plastic floats are placed on the lake to guide boats on routes to follow while in the water.
“The men were in the water to identify the floats,” the eyewitness added.
According to Daily Nation, the accident was caused by strong currents which overturned the boat throwing the occupants in the water.
Victims who died have been identified as Nicholas Omondi (25) and Steve Ochieng (21)
The racing event had been organized by a vernacular radio station in Homa Bay County dubbed Suba Cultural Boat Racing.
Sindo sub-location Senior Assistant Chief Julius Otiati stated that rescue operation was conducted by officials from the beach management unit, fishermen and other locals.
Suba South OCPD Paul Kipkorir confirmed the incident, citing his officers helped locals retrieve the bodies.
