State in plans to construct Lake Victoria rescue centre
The government will construct an emergency rescue centre at the shore of Lake Victoria in Mbita, Homa Bay county.
It will help enhance the safety of fishermen and by extension residents while using the lake especially local fishermen.
Already the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has acquired land for the construction of the facility whose work is set to start soon.
KMA got more than 0.5 acre piece to start constructing the centre at the lake shores in Mbita town.
Homa Bay county Secretary Isaiah Ogwe and Agriculture minister Aguko Juma handed over the land to Shipping and Maritime Principal Secretary Nancy Karigithu on Tuesday.
Speaking during the hand-over, Karigithu said the construction of the center is expected to start within 60 days.
The PS noted that the centre will facilitate transport and trade in Lake Victoria by improving maritime transport infrastructure.
The centre is expected to support maritime communications, navigation and emergency search and rescue services.
Numerous accidents
The facility will also accord fishermen rescue services in times of danger in the lake. The PS said the idea of constructing a rescue centre was out of concern over numerous accidents which resulted in deaths in the lake.
“Our focus is the safety of lake users. This centre aims at boosting safety of people using the lake to undertake their daily activities,” Karigithu said, adding that four similar projects will also be implemented in Kisumu, Siaya and Migori counties.
The Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori and Busia rescue centres will coordinate with the Kisumu’s which will be their regional centre.
Ogwe said the centre will enable Homa Bay improve its fishing activities hence promote the blue economy aspirations.
