Panic as Fishermen recover 20 Live Bombs from Lake Victoria in two seperate accounts in 48 hours

Fishermen in Mbita, Homabay County, have recovered 20 live explosives in two separate incidents within 48 hours.

The first discovery was made on Sunday, March 1, at Litare Beach in Mbita. According to eyewitnesses and police accounts, the fishermen had thought they had made a big catch only to stumble over the explosives. They immediately alerted the police, who secured the devices and warned locals of the danger.

“We thought it was a big fish,” one fisherman recounted. “When we saw what was inside, we knew it was dangerous and decided to alert the police immediately.”

A day later, on March 2, another group of fishermen his time, 14 additional explosives were netted from the waters, also concealed inside a metal container. Authorities confirmed that the devices were propellant-type explosives and included bullets.en at Koguna Beach made a similar discovery.

Following the incidents, the officers moved the explosives to the Mbita Sub-County Police Headquarters. According to the police, the explosives were propellant-type devices and also contained bullets.

This is not the first time explosives have been recovered from the lake. In 2021, a group of fishermen recovered 16 mortar rounds. In other parts of the country, including Samburu, herders have occasionally uncovered mortar bombs believed to be connected to training exercises by the British Army Training Unit Kenya.

The repeated discoveries have heightened anxiety and panic among fishing communities who depend on the lake for their livelihood.