A human rights organisation in Homa Bay has urged the state to provide long-term solutions to fishermen in Lake Victoria.
Many Kenyan fishermen have raised complaints about frustrations they undergo in the hands of Ugandan and Tanzanian authorities in the lake.
The lake is a shred resource among the three countries.
A number of times, Kenyan fishermen complain of being forced to eat raw fish as some are deprived of fishing tools and the catch.
Others get arrested and detained in the foreign countries. Such frustrations have continued despite the government deploying the Kenya Coast Guard in the lake.
On Monday, Homa Bay Bunge La Wenye Nchi asked President William Ruto to consider getting the fishermen operating in the lake a permanent solution to end the perennial conflicts.
The head of the organization Walter Opiyo said there was a dire need for the government of Kenya to agree with its neighbours such as Uganda and Tanzania on how to share Lake Victoria.
Speaking to journalists in Homa Bay town, Opiyo argued that Kenyan fishermen have continued to suffer in the hands of foreign security officers despite the lake being a shared resource.
Opiyo asked leaders in the East African Community to fast track ways of getting permanent solutions to people using the lake to promote blue economy.
“The blue economy the EAC governments have put as part of their development agenda can’t be achieved if our fishermen continue to get frustrated in Lake Victoria. Let President Ruto prioritise addressing the problems,” Opiyo said.
Opiyo said peace in the lake will give fishermen morale to work and contribute to the growth of Kenyas's economy.
He argued that constant harassment of Kenyan fishermen in the lake interferes with economic status of the fishermen.
“Kenyan fishermen earn a living from the activities, hence harassment should stop. There is a need for harmony in fishing between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania,” Opiyo said.
The organization spokesman Oloo Gor asked Kenyan MPs especially from Migori, Homa Bay, Busia, Kisumu and Siaya counties to come up with legislations that can enhance peaceful co-existence in Lake Victoria.
Gor appealed to the county governments to create a conducive environment for operations of the fisher folk, adding that this will empower Kenyan fishermen.
“Let our county governments, which border Lake Victoria, support the fisher folk by preventing them from hefty taxation,” Gor said.
