Kisumu County Commissioner John Elungata has lauded the launch of a Search and Rescue boat in Lake Victoria.
Mr Elungata said the boats will greatly help people within the region since cases of crocodile attacks and deaths had become a menace in the Lake Victoria waters.
He said seven people had been killed by crocodiles in Seme Sub County and Usoma beach in Kisumu since November last year.
“We will support the authority and work together to ensure that safeness and security of residence within the region are taken care of,” he said.
He at the same time called for training of divers within the county.
The boat was launched in Kisumu by the Kenya Maritime Authority in order to enhance its surveillance role of the Kenyan waters and boost maritime safety and security.
KMA Director General Cosmas Cherop said the launch of the boat reaffirms their desire and commitment to improve water transport on Lake Victoria and make it safe and secure.
“If water transport is safe and secure, then the benefits from the usage of maritime transport on Lake Victoria will thrive and will be evident in the optimum use of its maritime resources and the overall economic productivity accruing from the Lake’s maritime returns," he said.
Mr Cherop said they recognise the maritime safety challenges in Lake Victoria such as the hyacinth menace and lack of navigational aids on the lake both of which hinder safe navigation and contribute to water accidents as well as the shortage of vessels on the lake that can aid in search and rescue activities or respond to emergency cases on the lake.