NYANZA, Kenya — Fear has gripped communities around Kenya’s Lake Victoria basin in Nyanza after fishermen discovered live explosives in the waters during two separate incidents.
The first encounter occurred on Sunday, March 1, at Litare in Mbita, when fishermen believed they had made a substantial catch but instead pulled up a box containing live bombs. The fishermen promptly brought the explosives to shore and alerted local police.
Officers rushed to the scene, securing the devices and describing them as highly dangerous.
“Residents are urged to report any discoveries of explosives immediately,” police officials said.
A day later, another group of fishermen at Koguna Beach recovered 14 additional explosives while fishing, highlighting a growing concern over hidden ordnance in the lake.
The recovered devices, identified as propellant-type explosives containing bullets, were moved to Mbita Sub-County Police Headquarters.
Security personnel in Homa Bay County now hold the explosives, awaiting safe disposal by the Disposal and Hazardous Materials Unit based in Kisumu City.
Authorities note that this is not an isolated occurrence. In August 2021, fishermen in Homa Bay County retrieved six mortar bombs from Lake Victoria. Reports indicate some explosives date back to past military conflicts or the colonial era.
“When we discovered the explosives, some fishermen panicked and jumped into the lake, while others carefully navigated the boat to safety,” said one local resident.
A similar incident occurred in 2019 when colonial-era explosives were found hidden in a rusty wooden box, prompting immediate police intervention.
Outside Nyanza, explosives have also been recovered in Samburu County, particularly mortar bombs linked to British Army Training Units (BATUK), which are periodically found by herders.
The repeated discoveries have heightened concerns among residents about safety and the historical remnants of military activity in the region.
Authorities continue to urge caution and vigilance when fishing or traveling in areas where unexploded ordnance may be present.
