Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria are seeking intervention of their government to rescue their colleagues allegedly detained in Uganda after abduction.

Led by Homa Bay County Beach Management Units (BMU) chairman Edward Oremo and national BMUs chairman Tom Guda, the fishermen said at least eight of their colleagues are being held by Ugandan authorities weeks after they were arrested during a fishing expedition last month.

Oremo said 40 fishers from Siaya were arrested, out of whom 32 paid fines and were released while their remaining colleagues are still being held for failing to make the required payments.

The BMU officials called for the implementation of a proposal by President William Ruto to have a borderless East African Community (EAC), saying the fishing subsector stands to benefit greatly.

Boost trade

President Ruto is advocating for the establishment of borderless EAC, saying the move will help boost trade and strengthen economies within the region.

“It is our place as leaders and citizens of the EAC region for us to work together so that we can transform our borders, which today stand out as barriers and convert them to bridges so that goods, services and people can move across East Africa without any impediments,” Ruto said during Uganda’s 60th Independence Day celebrations in Kampala last week.

Consequently, the fisherfolk officials while welcoming the proposal, asked President Ruto to expedite the proposed agreement on borderless EAC, arguing that the move, if ratified, will not only enhance trade between the partner States but also help solve the problem of fishermen harassment in Lake Victoria.

“Based on President Ruto’s proposal we hope to see the region integrate to borderless trade. This will ensure harmonisation of fishing policies leading to the betterment of our work,” Oremo said.

At the same time, he urged the President to use the ongoing diplomatic talks involving Kenya and other EAC states, including Ugandan and Tanzania governments to seek long-term interventions to improve the safety and welfare of fishermen as well as save them from unnecessary harassment.

On his part, Guda called on EAC States to formulate a harmonised policy on single licence to allow free movement of fishermen in Lake Victoria.

This, he says, will promote unhindered fishing activities and spur economic growth.

“Let us first move to have one-single licence for fishermen of East Africa to carry out their activities in the lake without restrictions,” he said.

They spoke during a meeting with fishermen and other BMU officials at Dunga beach in Kisumu town on Tuesday.