This archive report was first published on 2 October 2019.
On October 2, 2019, the Kenya Maritime Authority's Lamu branch Inspector Alex Munga addressed the press at the Busia Agricultural Training Centre, highlighting the need for boat owners to register their vessels to ensure passenger safety.
According to Munga, only 2% of the 15,000 boats operating on Lake Victoria have been registered, with the majority of vessels lacking proper enforcement structures and facilities to facilitate registration.
Between 2010 and 2019, 242 water transport passengers lost their lives due to the failure of operators to adhere to maritime regulations, with 15 lives lost in Busia alone, including the tragic loss of 10 musicians in a single boat tragedy.
Inspector Munga emphasized that the Kenya Maritime Authority relies on enforcement agencies to carry out arrests and prosecutions, but lacks the power to do so itself, hindering its ability to register vessels without enforcement.
Furthermore, Munga noted that many operators and passengers fail to use required life-saving jackets, exacerbating the safety risks.
However, the government has introduced the Kenya Maritime Coast Guard to ensure security on the lake, with the Coast Guard's Squad Commander Jotham Odera stating that the service's mandate is to enforce maritime laws and provide security for inland waters.
As part of the initiative, the Coast Guard will conduct intensified patrols to ensure all boats are registered, with offices currently established at Port Victoria, Kisumu, and Sindo in Homa Bay County.
