Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has promised to beef up security for fishermen on Lake Victoria, admitting that the number of officers, patrol boats and equipment on the lake is not enough.

Speaking on Saturday in Bondo, Siaya County, during a meeting with Beach Management Unit (BMU) leaders and fish traders from Bondo and Rarieda sub-counties, Omollo said the government would expand the capacity of the Kenya Coast Guard Service so it can patrol Kenyan waters more effectively. The meeting was reported by The Star and Radio47.

Ugandan officers

Omollo also addressed complaints by Kenyan fishermen of harassment and confrontations involving Ugandan security officers on the shared lake. He said the matter was being followed up through diplomatic channels with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that fishermen from Siaya and neighbouring counties do not face needless difficulties while fishing.

Fishermen from Siaya, Busia, Homa Bay and Migori have for years accused Ugandan forces of arresting crews, seizing boats and nets and demanding money for their release in contested waters.

"When I return to Nairobi, I will ask the leadership of the Kenya Coast Guard Service to come here and engage with you. We will then look for adequate funding and equipment to ensure security on our lake is improved," Omollo told the gathering, according to The Star.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda, who attended alongside Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, said the lake was a shared international resource that required cross-border cooperation and protection for local fishermen, Radio47 reported.

Illegal gear and Saccos

The PS urged fishermen from Siaya, Kisumu and Homa Bay to work together and stop using illegal fishing gear, which he said threatens the lake's resources. He singled out Rarieda fishermen as an example for others.

He also warned officials of fishermen's savings and credit co-operatives to manage members' money transparently, and promised government support for training Sacco leaders.

"Your savings are not money to be played with," he said, adding that fishermen should not wait one or two months to access loans or their own savings.

Landing sites and cold storage

Omollo said the government was investing in the Blue Economy around the lake, listing:

  • Nine fish landing sites under construction, some nearly complete.
  • Modern fish markets with cold storage, water and electricity.
  • Roads to move fish faster from landing sites to markets.
  • Modern fishing gear, training and life-saving equipment for fishermen.

Radio47 reported that he also told fishermen that registered members could access free outpatient care under the Social Health Authority.

The PS used the forum to defend President William Ruto's record in the region, citing faster payments to sugarcane farmers and monthly salaries for sugar factory workers, as the government steps up its push for support in Nyanza ahead of the 2027 election.

Photos: Radio47; The Star. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.