Raymond Omollo outlined fishing infrastructure and security commitments during a meeting in Budalangi.
Raymond Omollo says the government will upgrade landing sites, expand lake patrols and strengthen fishermen’s cooperatives in Busia.
The government has pledged to improve Busia fishing infrastructure and strengthen security for fishermen on Lake Victoria. The commitments include modern landing sites, cold storage facilities and additional security officers.
Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo outlined the plans during a meeting in Budalangi. Beach Management Unit (BMU) members representing 20 beaches attended the meeting.
Omollo said fishing communities had long received inadequate attention despite supporting food security, jobs and the economy. He said they deserved development support alongside tea, coffee, dairy and sugarcane farmers.
Busia fishing infrastructure upgrades target landing sites
Omollo said work was underway to develop two of Busia’s 20 beaches into modern fish landing sites. The facilities will include cold storage, electricity and water to improve fish handling and preservation.
With these facilities, fishermen should reduce post-harvest losses and negotiate better prices, he said. The government is also undertaking similar projects in Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori counties.
Beyond infrastructure, Omollo announced plans to deploy more Kenya Coast Guard Service officers in Busia. He also pledged additional safety and patrol boats to improve security on the lake.
He cited cross-border disputes involving Kenyan and Ugandan fishermen, equipment theft and threats to fishermen’s safety. To help prevent accidents, the government will work with BMU leaders to provide adequate life jackets and improve access to safety boats.
Cooperatives and equal access to services
Omollo also urged leaders of Busia’s four fishermen’s cooperatives to improve accountability and financial management. He said officials needed training to manage members’ contributions and support access to loans and fishing equipment.
In turn, stronger cooperatives would help members invest, repay loans and create economic opportunities for others, he said. He urged fishermen to strengthen their organisations so they could better support members’ livelihoods.
On public services, Omollo directed chiefs, assistant chiefs and other national government administrators to treat residents equally. He specifically called for the removal of additional identity-card vetting requirements previously imposed on border-county residents.
He also instructed administrators to hold regular public barazas at village, sub-location and location levels. These meetings should explain government programmes and address community concerns, while BMU leaders should relay the meeting’s resolutions to their beaches.
Omollo said President William Ruto’s development agenda sought to give historically underserved communities a fair share of national resources. He also backed Ruto’s bid for a second term and urged Busia residents to register and vote.
