Shock After Fishermen Recover 20 Live Bombs in Lake Victoria

Shock After Fishermen Recover 20 Live Bombs in Lake Victoria

Fear and anxiety have gripped communities along the shores of Lake Victoria after fishermen discovered a cache of live explosives hidden beneath the water in two separate incidents that occurred within days of each other.

Authorities in Homa Bay County confirmed that at least 20 explosive devices were recovered from the lake, raising serious concerns about public safety in the region. The discoveries, made by local fishermen during routine fishing expeditions, have triggered investigations by security agencies.

The first incident occurred on Sunday, March 1, near Litare area in Mbita. According to witnesses, a group of fishermen initially believed they had made a significant catch when their nets dragged up a heavy container from the lakebed.

However, their excitement quickly turned into fear after they opened the container and realized it contained suspicious metallic objects believed to be explosives.

Recognizing the potential danger, the fishermen quickly transported the box to the shore and alerted local authorities.

Police officers from the area responded swiftly and secured the devices before transferring them for further examination.

A police officer familiar with the incident warned residents to exercise extreme caution when encountering unknown objects in the lake.

“These devices are extremely dangerous. Residents should avoid handling suspicious items and immediately notify security agencies if they encounter such materials,” the officer stated.

Just a day later, another alarming discovery was made at Koguna Beach along the same lake. A different group of fishermen reportedly hauled up a separate cargo containing 14 additional explosive devices while fishing.

The fishermen immediately raised the alarm, prompting police to rush to the scene and secure the explosives before they could pose any threat to the public.

Security officials confirmed that the recovered items were propellant-type explosive devices and were accompanied by several bullets, further heightening fears about their potential impact if mishandled.

The explosives were subsequently transported to the Mbita Sub-County Police Headquarters, where they remain under tight security as authorities await the arrival of experts from the bomb disposal unit.

Officials said specialists from the explosive disposal and hazardous materials unit based in Kisumu will oversee the safe handling and destruction of the devices.

Local authorities have urged residents and fishermen operating on the lake to remain vigilant and report any unusual discoveries.

The incident has also revived memories of similar cases recorded in the past within the lake region.

In August 2021, fishermen from Homa Bay County discovered six mortar bombs in the waters of Lake Victoria, causing panic among those on board the fishing vessel. Some fishermen reportedly jumped into the water in fear while others managed to steer their boat to safety before notifying authorities.

Security experts believe some of these explosives may date back decades.

According to investigators, such devices are sometimes remnants of past military conflicts in the region, while others are believed to originate from the colonial era when military training activities were conducted across parts of East Africa.

A similar case occurred in 2019 when residents discovered explosives concealed inside a rusty wooden box submerged in the lake. The devices were later handed over to police officers for safe disposal.

Explosive remnants have also been reported in other parts of the country, including Samburu County, where herders occasionally stumble upon mortar bombs believed to be linked to training exercises conducted by the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

Authorities say investigations are now underway to determine the origin of the explosives recovered in Lake Victoria and whether more such devices could still be hidden beneath the vast waters.

ALSO READ; Kenya Tourism Fund Upgrades eLevy Portal to Streamline Payments and Boost Compliance

Shock After Fishermen Recover 20 Live Bombs in Lake Victoria