Tension is high between Kenyan and Ugandan fishermen off Migori county beaches of Lake Victoria after nine boats were impounded.
On Friday night eight Kenyan fishermen on four boats were arrested by security officers from Uganda sparking off the tension.
The eight fishermen from local beaches in Muhuru Bay ward said they were arrested for trespassing across the border, a claim they denied.
They were released in the waters into Kenyan boats, while their vessels and gears were towed towards Uganda in Hema Island.
In revenge, several Kenyan fishermen on Sunday night found five Ugandan boats on the Kenyan side before they impounded the boats and released the fishermen.
“When Ugandans often impound our boats, they ask us to pay a fine to have them and our fishermen released,” Geoffrey Aguko the Kithegunga Beach Management Unit chairperson said.
Aguko said during the Friday incident, it was protests from fellow Kenyan fishermen that saw their colleagues released while the boats were released after a standoff.
To release a boat, Ugandan often demand Sh50,000 paid to security officers, while for a person the amount always ranges from Sh10,000.
“For one to build a boat, install a good engine and buy fishing gears it requires a heavy investment often done in loans, constant harassment is killing our businesses,” Gadaffi Ogara said.
Tonny Ogwari, the Kibro Beach Manegement Unit chairperson said while they went to seek redress on release of their boats, they were harassed and on their way back they found Ugandans fishing on their side.
“We felt bad and we want to have a dialogue to end this constant harassment and our boats released, and we also return these,” Ogwari said.
Muhuru Bay MCA Lawrence Magubo said Kenyans have constantly complained of harassment by Ugandans and there is need for meeting to end the impasse.
Nyatike police boss Dorothy Migarusha said they were aware of Kenyan harassment, adding that they will following up on how Ugandan boats were impounded.
“We are working together to find an amicable solution, often, most fishermen do not report these incidents to either side of authorities until it is late,” Migarusha said.
She said they will work together with their Ugandan counterparts to ensure similar incidents are stopped. She said already, government multi-agency from coast guards, border patrol, fisheries, immigration and Kenya Revenue officer are alerted.
She said they will work with BMUs from across the border to ensure laws on fishing is understood from both sides.
