A 25-year-old fisherman was injured after a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officer opened fire during a patrol operation at Lake Victoria in Rarieda, Siaya County.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at about 12.30pm near Kogoye Beach in Liata Sub-location, South Uyoma Location, police said.
According to police, a patrol team comprising two KWS officers, a Fisheries officer and members of Kogoye Beach Management Unit (BMU) encountered 12 boats fishing in a restricted breeding zone.
The team reportedly ordered the fishermen to stop, but the fishermen allegedly became hostile as the officers approached.
Police said the fishermen threw stones and empty glass bottles at the patrol team and threatened the officers with machetes.
One of the rangers who was armed with a Mark IV rifle, reportedly fired four shots into the air to disperse the fishermen.
When the fishermen allegedly continued resisting, the officer fired a fifth shot, reportedly aiming at the engine of one of the boats to stop it.
The bullet instead struck a 25-year-old fisherman, in the left hand and left leg around the knee, causing a fracture.
The injured fisherman was rushed to Madiany Sub-County Hospital before being referred to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu for further treatment. He was reported to be in serious condition.
Nine fishermen were arrested during the operation and placed in police custody.
They are being investigated for alleged possession of illegal fishing gear, fishing within a designated breeding zone and fishing undersized fish.
Such confrontations have been common as the fishermen venture into the restricted areas amid KWS action.
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