The government plans additional officers and patrol boats to protect Lake Victoria fishing communities.
Raymond Omollo says additional patrols will protect fishing communities as the government expands landing sites and lake transport infrastructure.
The government plans to strengthen Lake Victoria security with more officers and patrol boats before year-end. Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the deployment would help protect fishermen and support the blue economy.
Speaking in Kisumu, Omollo met county Beach Management Unit (BMU) officials and members of the business community. He said the government was coordinating surveillance efforts with the Border Patrol Unit and Kenya Coast Guard Service.
The operation will focus particularly on waters bordering Uganda and Tanzania. Omollo also acknowledged persistent threats facing fishing communities, including incidents around Migingo Island.
Lake Victoria security and landing site investment
Omollo committed to increasing police and other security personnel, alongside patrol boats, before the year ends. He said the measures would improve safety for fishing communities operating in Kenyan waters.
Beyond patrols, the government is investing in nine modern fish landing sites around the lake. The facilities will include cold storage, hygienic fish handling areas and improved trading infrastructure.
These investments aim to reduce post-harvest losses, improve fish handling and increase fishermen’s earnings. The Homa Bay facility is complete, while construction continues at Usenge in Siaya County.
Other planned facilities include Mbita, Kendu Bay and Sena on Mfangano Island. Meanwhile, work continues at Muhuru Bay Pier in Migori County, and a public ferry in Kisumu is nearing completion.
Omollo said the ferry would improve passenger transport and connections between communities around the lake. He also linked investment in piers to safer and more convenient water transport.
Roads, markets and financing for fishing communities
Omollo said the blue economy strategy also covers transport, trade and other businesses that can create jobs. He urged BMU officials to expand SACCO membership and strengthen transparency, financial management and governance.
Stronger cooperatives would help fishermen access financing and grow their businesses, he said. In addition, he encouraged households to supplement fishing income through ventures such as integrated poultry farming.
The PS said the government was building more than 600 markets nationally, incorporating electricity, water and cold storage. Improved roads would also connect landing sites with markets and commercial centres, easing the movement of fish and other goods.
Meanwhile, Omollo said President William Ruto was expected to visit the region in the coming weeks. During the visit, Ruto would launch construction of the approximately 500-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road linking Migori to Busia.
Omollo urged BMU leaders, security agencies and National Government Administration Officers to work together. He said their cooperation would help turn government investments into better livelihoods for fishing communities.
