Siaya fishermen decry harassment by Ugandan police

Fishermen casting their nets in Lake Victoria. [File, Standard]

Thousands of fishermen in Siaya County have raised concern over frequent harassment and arrests by Ugandan authorities.

According to the fishermen, Ugandan police have been arresting Kenyan fishermen in the county and taking them to Uganda.

Speaking to The Standard Wednesday, Daniel Odero, a Beach Management Unit official said most of the fishermen cannot go into the lake for fear of being arrested.

"This is a matter that we have pleaded with the government to address but it seems they are not bothered," said Odero.

Odero, who spoke on behalf of the fishermen, added that the Ugandan security apparatus has been arresting the fishermen in Kenya.

"It is sad that our fishermen are being arrested by foreign police officers in their own country. Our government has really failed us," said the official.

According to Odero, they expected President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni to address the insecurity issue in Lake Victoria during the Piny Luo cultural festival in Siaya but it never happened.

He said, "Fishermen are on their own because our security apparatus is no longer patrolling the lake and hence Ugandans are taking advantage."

Another official, Julius Odembo asked the government to consider restoring patrol units in the lake to avert the rising insecurity.

"Our fishermen stopped going into the Ugandan waters but we are now surprised why they are coming to arrest our people in Mageta and Sirigombe islands. We are calling on the government to intervene," said Odembo.