Twenty-four Kenyan fishermen were Thursday evening
arrested by Ugandan security officers for allegedly trespassing.
The fishermen are from Ringiti Island in Suba North constituency Homa Bay county.
Such incidents had reduced in recent past following diplomatic relations between Kenya and Uganda but the Thursday arrest is likely to reignite tension.
The fishermen have been taken to Uganda’s Lolwe Island for detention.
Six boats, which they were using were also confiscated.
Ringiti Island Beach Management Unit chairman Barnabas Odhiambo said the fishermen were on Kenyan waters, contrary reports from the Ugandan security officers.
“What we know is that my colleagues were fishing in Kenyan waters and not Ugandan. The foreign security persons are doing arbitrary harassment of Kenyans who are using their natural resources to earn a living,” Odhiambo said.
He expressed concerns over reemergence of harassment of Kenyan fishermen.
Odhiambo said Ugandan security officers have a tendency of patrolling in Kenyan waters.
“Most Ugandan security officers nowadays patrol in Kenyan waters. They behave as if Kenya does not have security officers who can patrol the lake,” he said.
Odhiambo said the Ugandan security officers demanded Sh50,000 and Sh10,000 for release of each boat and each person.
“The money they demand is so huge the fishermen cannot afford. Those people are impoverishing us,” he said.
Odhiambo has urged the government and local leaders to intervene and provide a long term solution to the problem.
“Let local leaders and the Kenyan government move swiftly and address the problem. I am appealing to the government to boost security in this lake,” he said.
They urged President William Ruto to talk to his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni to end harassment and provide a long term solution to the problem.
“Fishermen are tired of this harassment. We appeal to President Ruto to engage his Ugandan colleague to enable us to have long-term peace in this lake,” he said.
Acting Homa Bay county commissioner Charles Mwayaya said the fishermen have not made any complaints.
“They have not reported the complaint in any of our offices but I am going on with the inquiry to find out the truth and how to salvage the situation,” he said.
During his visit to Homa Bay for this year’s Madaraka Day celebration, President William Ruto promised to intensify security in Lake Victoria to protect Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria.
