Lwandanyi Health Center roof damaged by heavy rainfall on Friday night…Photo/CG
HOMA BAY, Kenya
Two fishermen are feared dead after a sudden night storm overturned their boat on Lake Victoria, as authorities warn of escalating weather-related dangers across western Kenya following similar destructive winds in Bungoma County.
The incident occurred at around 10 p.m. on Sunday at Kagwa Beach in Homa Bay County, when strong winds and heavy rainfall struck without warning, capsizing a boat carrying four fishermen who had ventured into the lake to cast their nets.
Two of the fishermen drowned, while the other two survived after clinging to the overturned vessel for hours before they were rescued.
Rescue efforts were still ongoing Tuesday, with local authorities and community members searching for the missing bodies.
Officials said the fishermen had been caught off guard as calm evening conditions rapidly deteriorated into a violent storm, a pattern increasingly being reported during the ongoing rainy season.
The tragedy comes amid a wave of destructive weather incidents in western Kenya.
In Lwandanyi, Bungoma County, heavy downpours accompanied by strong winds recently left a trail of destruction, blowing off roofs and flattening homes.
Among those affected was Lydia Barasa, a mother of five, whose rental house was destroyed, forcing her family to spend the night in the cold.
Other residents, James Kundu Kisongochi annd Simon Fwamba Musima also lost his home in the same incident.
The strong winds also damaged infrastructure at Lwandanyi Health Center, disrupting services and raising concerns over access to medical care in the area.
Local leaders, including community figures, have called for urgent support for affected families, warning that many residents remain exposed as the rains continue.
Authorities are now urging fishermen and residents in vulnerable areas to exercise caution, particularly during periods of unpredictable weather, noting that both Lake Victoria and inland communities face heightened risks as the rainy season intensifies.
