Five people on Monday evening lost their lives after a boat they were travelling in capsized in Lake Victoria at Aneko Beach, Nyatike, in Migori County.
The tragedy occurred after high tides hit the lake, resulting in the boat losing balance while it was on the verge of docking.
Among those who lost their lives were one man and four women.
While the exact number of people who were in the boat remains unclear, local divers managed to save some of the occupants of the boat. Unfortunately, the five did not survive.
The area chief, David Okoth, confirmed the incident, saying the search for the bodies had commenced. He further called on the Kenya Red Cross and the Kisumu County Government to aid in the process of retrieving the bodies.
This incident comes against the backdrop of the death of a 38-year-old fisherman who passed away on November 20 after his boat capsized.
Reports stated that the fisherman attempted to swim to the Lake's shore, but unfortunately, he was overwhelmed and drowned.
Budubusi sub-location assistant chief Maurice Nyongesa added that the deceased was in the company of two fishermen who survived the ordeal.
According to an eyewitness, a strong wind blowing through the Lake overturned the boat, forcing the three to swim.
Fishermen have since been cautioned against fishing deep in the lake, especially during the ongoing El Nino rains.
According to the National El Niño Steering Committee, floods have killed a total of 120 people, with Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties worst hit.
