Fishermen from Muhuru Bay in Nyatike Sub County-Migori have lamented the continuous harassment by the Beach Management Unit (BMU) officials.
According to Muhuru Bay beach leader Samuel Kajimba, the BMU officials have been harassing Omena (Silverfish) fishermen in Lake Victoria by seizing their boats and fishing gear and demanding a Sh2,000 bribe.
Kajimba said that the unidentified officers have been saying that the lake has been closed for fishing yet in other areas like Sori Bay fishing activities were ongoing.
“Our local fishermen are being arrested for fishing yet some non-local fishermen continue to do their fishing business,” lamented Kajimba.
He said that there was no official communication from the Department of Fisheries imposing a ban on Omena fishing.
“We want the county government through the department of fisheries to tell us if there is any law prohibiting omena fishing in Lake Victoria,” decried Kajimba.
Julius Kacheri, a fisherman from Tanzania said that they have been paying their taxes at the Immigration Office at Muhuru Bay to do fishing but the continuous harassment by the BMU officials targeting Omena fishermen was biased and uncalled for.
Beatrice Auma, businesswoman also complained about the continuous harassment saying that her fishing boats had been taken away by BMU officials and demanding bribes.
Stephen Otieno, another Omena fisherman from the area called upon the BMU officials to explain to the locals with which law are they subjecting arrest to the fishermen.
Otieno said that fishing is their likelihood and depriving them of the same will render majority of youth jobless.
He urged the BMU officials to always use our elected officials to communicate any information instead of using intimidation and harassment to address their matter.
In 2022, the Migori county government collaborated with fishermen to temporarily ban the Omena fishing for 10 days to allow the fish to multiply.
By Geoffrey Makokha
