Fishermen Uncover Live Explosives in Lake Victoria, Sparking Safety Fears in Homa Bay

Fishermen in Homa Bay County have uncovered live explosives in two separate incidents near Lake Victoria, raising concerns about the presence of military remnants in the area.

The first discovery occurred on Sunday, 1 March, when a group of fishermen in Litare, Mbita, hauled a box containing dangerous devices. They alerted local police, who confirmed the explosives were highly volatile. 

The next day, another group of fishermen near Koguna beach found 14 additional explosive devices, prompting authorities to transfer both caches to the Mbita Sub-County Police Headquarters. The items, identified as propellant-type explosives along with bullets, are awaiting disposal by the Hazardous Materials Unit in Kisumu.

This follows a similar discovery in August 2021, when six mortar bombs were found in the same region, and another incident in 2019, when colonial-era explosives were recovered from the lake. These repeated findings raise concerns over the legacy of historical military activity in the area.

The presence of explosives in Lake Victoria underscores the risks posed by past conflicts and colonial military operations. Despite being decades old, these devices continue to threaten local communities, particularly fishermen and herders who rely on the lake for their livelihoods. 

For residents, the discovery of explosives is more than a mere scare; it is a persistent danger to their safety and livelihoods. With fishing as a primary source of income, the fear of hidden explosives can disrupt local economies.