Marine police to be deployed to Lake Victoria over insecurity

MV TEWA, a police speed boat patrols Lake Victoria waters. [Caleb Kingwara/Standard]

The Kenya Marine police will be deployed to Lake Victoria to contain constant attacks on Kenyan fishermen by pirates and Ugandans.

African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Raila Odinga said the police unit will patrol the lake to ward off pirates who have run riot at the lake.

Raila's sentiments come following a most recent incident, in which criminals attacked and injured six fishermen from Bondo.

According to the Chairman of Kuoyo Beach Management Unit (BMU) Mr Willis Opiyo, the fishermen were attacked by thugs who were armed with machetes and knives.

The chairman also stated that during the attack, the thugs took away the fishermen’s two boat engines worth Sh460, 000.

Opiyo, who confirmed the attack, condemned the rampant attacks on the lake, pleading with the government to consider reinstating police officers who used to patrol the lake.

“Insecurity has been on the rise in the lake but no action has been taken despite our persistent plea to the government,” he lamented.

Speaking during the burial of a former teacher, Mr Festus Miyayi in Nyanyonga village in West Yimbo ward, Raila said the officers will be permanently based in the lake to deal with the pirates who have continued to threaten peace in the region.

Two months ago, some fishermen were attacked and their four boat engines stolen.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda said fishermen have suffered great losses due to the incessant attacks and harassment by the pirates and Ugandan authorities.

"This is a great step by the state to ensure that all the criminals are flushed out of the lake," said Ochanda.