Migori: Fishermen decry alleged harassment by Ugandan, Tanzanian officials

Stakeholders have condemned the alleged harassment of Kenyan fishermen by officials from Tanzania and Uganda, calling on the government to intervene.

Mugabo Beach Management Unit Chairperson Kennedy Ochieng Mragiri  stated that Kenyan fishermen frequently face arrests and are forced to pay hefty fines imposed by authorities from neighboring countries.

He expressed concern that Kenyan fishermen are not free to operate in Lake Victoria without fear of external aggression, as officers from Uganda and Tanzania often subject them to harassment during their fishing expeditions.

The chairperson emphasized that since fishing is their primary livelihood, the Kenyan government must find ways to safeguard these fishermen while they are on the lake.

Additionally, Ochieng appealed to the Migori County Government to provide more fishing cages to local fishermen.

He explained that increased access to cages would enable them to invest more heavily in cage fishing, reducing their sole dependence on traditional fishing methods and enhancing their resilience against external threats.