Kenya: PS Omollo Confirms Uganda Lake Victoria Harassment Solution

• Kenya is engaging Uganda to find a permanent solution to the harassment of fishermen in Lake Victoria.
• Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tasked with addressing the issue.
• The government plans to strengthen the Kenya Coast Guard Services with increased funding for effective patrolling and deterring intruders.
• President William Ruto's administration has invested significantly in the blue economy, including nine new fish landing sites and provisions for fishermen.
• Legislators Elisha Odhiambo and Gideon Ochanda urged the ODM party to allow President Ruto to engage all communities for national unity.

The Kenyan government is actively pursuing a permanent resolution to the ongoing harassment faced by fishermen in Lake Victoria, engaging with neighboring Uganda to address these persistent issues.

The Kenyan government is actively pursuing a permanent resolution to the ongoing harassment faced by fishermen in Lake Victoria, engaging with neighboring Uganda to address these persistent issues. Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, representing the State Department for Interior and National Administration, confirmed this diplomatic initiative, indicating that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been specifically tasked with resolving the matter and eliminating the disturbances.

Omollo conveyed this commitment during a recent gathering at Uhendo beach in West Sakwa, located within Bondo sub-county. The meeting brought together various fisherfolk from the Usigu, Rarieda, and Bondo sub-counties, providing a direct forum for discussion on their concerns. Prominent regional and local officials were also in attendance, including Nyanza regional commissioner Onesmus Kyatha, Siaya county commissioner Norbert Komora, and area legislators Elisha Odhiambo of Gem and Gedion Ochanda of Bondo.

Beyond diplomatic channels, the government is simultaneously developing strategies to reinforce the Kenya Coast Guard Services (KCGS). This enhancement aims to enable the KCGS to conduct more effective patrols across Lake Victoria, thereby preventing the entry of foreign intruders and safeguarding local fishing communities.

Principal Secretary Omollo emphasized the administration's intent to secure adequate funding for the KCGS, ensuring it can significantly improve security operations on the lake. The objective is to eradicate instances of insecurity, making such occurrences a relic of the past for those who depend on the lake for their livelihoods.

President William Ruto's administration has demonstrated a substantial commitment to developing the blue economy within the region, channeling considerable investments into this vital sector. A key initiative includes the construction of nine new fish landing sites strategically located around Lake Victoria, designed to improve infrastructure for local fishermen.

Further investments extend to providing fisherfolk with modern fishing gear, comprehensive training programs, and essential life support resources. These efforts are part of a broader vision to establish a complete ecosystem, which also encompasses the development of necessary infrastructure facilities beyond the immediate confines of the lake itself.

During the same event, legislators Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) and Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) addressed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, urging it to grant President William Ruto the necessary latitude to engage with all communities across the nation. They contended that the ODM's current push for a 50-50 power-sharing arrangement within the government was impractical.

The legislators argued that such a demand risked excluding other communities from national participation. Instead, they advocated for allowing President Ruto the flexibility to welcome diverse partners, a move they believe is crucial for fostering national cohesion and unity.

This article reports on diplomatic efforts and security enhancements in Lake Victoria. It does not present a new law, regulation, filing deadline, or specific compliance exposure that would require immediate legal action or advice from a lawyer or compliance officer.

Source: Original reporting via government statements.