Fishermen in Bondo sub-county have been given a one week notice to ensure they all have lifesaving jackets or be blocked from entering the waters of Lake Victoria.
The notice has been issued by the Chairman of Bondo Sub County Beach Management Unit (BMU) network, Johannes Gaunye who stated that the rampant loss of lives in the lake will only be contained if the fishermen are ready to take the lake safety precautions seriously.
He has therefore instructed all the beach leaders across the entire sub-county to ensure that no fisherman is allowed into the lake without proper safety gears.
Gaunye who spoke to KNA was flanked by the Bondo BMU Network Secretary, Raphael Nyunja who reiterated the need for the fishermen to adhere to the water safety precautions to avoid clashing with the authorities.
The Secretary stated that this will help them to avoid problems with the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), the Coast Guards and any other authorities that deal with water safety issues.
He stated that this will also reduce the cases of loss of lives during accidents in the lake, citing a case where a fisherman recently lost his life just because he had no lifesaving jacket.
Nyunja added that this is not only meant for fishermen but to everyone who uses the lake including those travelling across to the islands.
By Brian Ondeng
