This archive report was first published on 8 December 2019.
Kenya Marine police officers patrolling Lake Victoria. In a disturbing trend, eight local fishermen from Muhuru Bay, Migori County, were arrested last week by Tanzanian police in Lake Victoria and released only after paying a whooping Sh490,000.
According to Kibro Beach Management Unit Chairman Joel Maulidi, the fishermen were taken to Sota beach in Tanzania and released after paying Sh30,000 each and another Sh250,000 for the five boats confiscated. Maulidi stated, 'They were in five boats which were also impounded alongside their engines, several fishing gears and their catch.'
Speaking to the Standard over the phone on Sunday, Maulidi revealed that the fishermen had to pay a total of Sh490,000 to secure their release. He added, 'We have paid Sh240,000 for eight Kenyan and Sh250,000 for five boats totaling Sh490,000 for our people to be free.'
Maulidi accused the Kenya government of being weak in protecting its citizens, exposing them to rampant attacks from neighboring authorities. He stated, 'Kenyan government has been weak in enforcing rules and policing the lake which has exposed us to harassment by Tanzania and Uganda forces.'
However, 12 fishermen from Tanzania who were arrested alongside their colleagues were released free of charge. Maulidi appealed to the government to stop rampant harassments of local fishermen by both Tanzania and Ugandan authorities.
He lamented, 'This is like piracy, this is just a way Tanzanian officers are making money from poor Kenyan fishermen, the government should provide a lasting solution from this frequent harassment in the lake, Kenyan fishermen’s are suffering day and night.'
Early this year, Muhuru Bay MCA Hevron Maira said they had to pay Sh200,000 to release 26 local fishermen arrested by Tanzania after being held for six months. Maira stated, 'If the government cannot protect its citizens, at least they should pay these fines to secure their release.'
The two lamented that local fishermen face harassment from the security officers from neighboring countries but the government is just silent over the matter. They want government to offer a lasting solution to insecurity issues in Lake Victoria which undermines the spirit of brotherhood under the East African Community.
Published on December 8, 2019.
