The government will send more police officers and patrol boats to Lake Victoria before the end of the year, The Star reported. Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the extra personnel and vessels will step up surveillance and protect fishermen. They will also tighten security along Kenya's borders with Uganda and Tanzania.
Omollo announced the plan on Friday at a meeting with Beach Management Units (BMUs) and business leaders in Migori county. He said the government is working with the Border Patrol Unit and the Kenya Coast Guard Service to expand security operations. "Before the end of this year, you will see increased numbers of police and security officers," he said. He added that more patrol boats would also arrive.
Fishing communities have complained about insecurity for years, especially around Migingo Island and other disputed fishing areas. Omollo said the government is also considering replacing traditional wooden patrol boats with safer vessels that have better security features.
The PS also listed investments meant to make fishing pay better. Nine modern fish-landing sites are being built around the lake. They will have cold storage rooms, hygienic handling areas and better trading spaces. The Homa Bay facility is complete, and construction is under way at Usenge in Siaya county. Sites at Mbita, Kendu Bay and Sena on Mfangano Island are planned. Other projects include the Muhuru Bay Pier in Migori and a public ferry in Kisumu that is nearly finished.
For ordinary fishermen, the aim is to cut post-harvest losses, open up more markets and reduce exploitation by middlemen. Omollo said the government is also building more than 600 markets across the country, with electricity, water and cold storage.
Omollo said President William Ruto is expected to visit the region in the coming weeks. Ruto will launch construction of the Lake Victoria Ring Road, which will run about 500 kilometres from Migori to Busia. Omollo also urged BMUs to strengthen their savings and credit cooperatives. He encouraged fishing families to find other sources of income too, such as poultry farming.