Local leaders and fishermen living and operating around lake Victoria in Siaya County have questioned the government’s recent directive prohibiting police officers patrolling the lake from using wooden boats.
According to stakeholders, the directive has led to increased criminal activities around, and in the lake as the officers have been left with no alternative to keep securing the lake.
According to Beach Management Unit (BMU) official Julius Odembo, the order barring the police from using boats provided by fishermen has led to increased theft of boat engines.
“We don’t know how this decision was reached but it has contributed to an increase in crime in the lake,’’ he is quoted by the Sunday Standard.
Bondo lawmaker Gideon Ochanda also weighed-in on the issue, urging the government to suspend the directive as it settles of an effective alternative.
He added that the boats have been in use for many years, wondering what led to the sudden changes. He added that the fishermen have so far lost 15 boats engines and other merchandise to thieves.
‘’With the kind of insecurity we are experiencing in the lake, we are requesting the government to allow our officers to continue using the wooden boats as they wait for the recommended ones,’’ he added during a meeting with fishermen and security officers on Saturday.
But in response, Siaya County Commissioner Michael Ole Tialal maintained that the move is solely aimed at ensuring that the officers use the recommended vessels.
“We appreciate the efforts our fishermen have been making to ensure our officers give them security. But we are calling upon them to be patient to allow the government to give them better equipment,’’ he is quoted.