As Kenya joined the World in celebrating the International Fisheries Day, it emerged that the Kenya Coast Guards have developed a tendency of harassing and even extorting money from the fishermen who they are supposed to protect.
Speaking during the celebrations at Luanda Kotieno beach in Rarieda sub-county beach leaders and the local leadership led by Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo decried harassment and warned that the vice must stop forthwith.
Siaya governor James Orengo demanded for immediate overhaul of the Kenya Coast Guard personnel in Lake Victoria
While stating that they have received numerous complaints about the harassment by the Kenya Coast Guard officers, the governor called on Nyanza Regional Commissioner to ensure that all those officers are replaced as a show of government commitment to the protection of the fishermen in Lake Victoria.
Similar concern was raised by the Principal Secretary in the state department of Blue economy and Fisheries Ms. Betsy Njagi who stated that the government cannot allow the Kenya Coast Guards to continue harassing the fishermen.
Oh her part, Nyanza regional Commissioner Mrs. Flora Mworoa assured the fishermen and local leadership that the issues shall be addressed once and for all.
Deputy Chief of Staff in the office of the President Mr. Eliud Owalo who represented the Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue economy Ali Hassan Joho, instructed the Regional Commissioner to convene a multi-sectoral stakeholders’ forum by next week to ensure that the issue of the Kenya Coast Guards is addressed to ensure a lasting solution is found.
