State to set up two Coast Guard bases in Homa Bay

The government will set up two Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) bases in Homa Bay county to maintain security in Lake Victoria.

The bases will be used to protect fishermen from numerous harassment and arrests by neighbouring country’s security officers.

According to Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo (pictured), the government is working on ways of addressing insecurity issues in Lake Victoria.

He said plans are underway to establish two more KCGS patrol bases and deploy extra officers to boost security for fishermen and other lake users.

The state has already established KCGS bases in Mbita town in Suba North constituency. “Arrangements are being made to establish two bases for the KCGS personnel to maintain law and order in Lake Victoria,” said the PS while in Mfang’ano Island during a funds drive in aid of infrastructure improvement at Kakiimba Secondary School, Suba North constituency.

“Our plan is to establish the bases in Homa Bay town and Mfangano Island to protect our people from harassment while in their fishing expeditions through undertaking patrols in different parts of the lake in Kenyan borders,” said the PS.

Most Kenyan fishermen have continually complained of harassment from neighbouring countries security officers when undertaking their fishing operations.