Nine people are lucky to be alive after their boat capsized in Lake Victoria.
The victims, eight of whom being women, were participating in the annual canoe racing event held in Bumbe of Funyula constituency, Busia county.
The locals lauded quick divers who rescued the nine people from drowning.
The ceremony, which began in 1967 and is celebrated annually December 26th, gathers hundreds of local residents, including politicians.
Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, has banned any beach activities after 5.30 p.m.
The decision comes after two persons drowned in the Indian Ocean at Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach on Christmas Day when their boat crashed.
