The government has announced plans to set up Coast Guard Services within Mfangano Island in Homa Bay County to deal with security concerns in Lake Victoria.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo said such plans are underway and will be actualized soon.
Omollo said the establishment of the Coast Guard camp on the Island is one of the commitments of President William Ruto’s agenda that seeks to spur the Blue Economy of the Nyanza region.
“When the president recently visited this area, locals asked for a Coast Guard camp, the mandate for such an establishment is within our ministry and I have picked it up,” he said.
He said another setup will be in Homa Bay noting that the Island establishment will be key to the Islanders.
Fishermen in Lake Victoria have often reported attacks in the lake, with occasional loss of the catch and fishing gear.
Speaking on Friday at a fundraiser in Kakimba Secondary School in Mfangano Island, the Interior PS urged residents of Homabay County to cooperate with the security team to aid in delivering President William Ruto’s election agenda.
He commended security agencies in the region for a splendid job in keeping law and order.
“We have the Regional Commissioner Madam Mworoa plus her team that stems down to the village elder, they have worked closely to deal with insecurity matters,” he said.
Omollo said the government will beef up more security in the lake which is porous and prone to aiding illicit trade.
He further urged the Islanders to deter their children from venturing into fishing in the lake.
“Let our children finish school before going into the lake to fish. Education is important, fishing can wait,” he said. By Simon Achola, KBC
