The Kenyan government has announced a new security plan for Lake Victoria after years of cross-border clashes left local fishermen vulnerable to arrests, harassment, and shrinking livelihoods.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, speaking in Kisumu on Thursday, said more officers, patrol boats, and equipment would be deployed to the lake. The move is part of a wider effort to modernise Kenya’s security agencies.
“The presence of our security officers on the lake must be enhanced. And that presence is not just about numbers, but also about equipment,” Mr Murkomen said.
The long-running disputes centre on the shared nature of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater body. Kenyan officials say much of the breeding takes place in their waters, but the fish migrate to Ugandan zones, sparking disputes over who has the right to catch them.
“Fish cannot be tagged or given passports. That is why joint management of the lake is necessary,” Mr Murkomen told the forum, pointing to what he described as a recurring source of friction between fishermen from the two countries.
Kenya and Uganda have a cooperation agreement on fishing rights, recently reviewed during President Yoweri Museveni’s visit to Nairobi. The pact seeks to strengthen joint management of the lake and encourage sustainable fishing practices.
To prevent flare-ups, Mr Murkomen suggested posting liaison officers on both sides of the border to resolve disputes more quickly. “It might be necessary to have a liaison officer from Uganda operating in Kenya, and one from Kenya operating in Uganda,” he said.
He also proposed that Beach Management Units (BMUs), which represent local fishermen, be included in county-level security meetings. Fishermen, he noted, often provide the first warnings of illegal activity on the lake.
The Interior chief added that the Kenya Coast Guard Service — often associated with the Indian Ocean — would now be reinforced to oversee security on inland waters. His ministry, he said, will also push for lakeside offices and other facilities to support officers.
“One of the issues flagged nationally is how to enhance our presence in our lakes. The coast guard must be strengthened,” Mr Murkomen said.
The announcement came during the Jukwaa la Usalama Forum, a regional security dialogue held in Kisumu. Mr Murkomen was flanked by senior officials, including Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli.
For communities along the lake, the government’s plan is likely to be closely watched. Many fishermen say they want not just protection from foreign harassment but also fairer enforcement of fishing rules at home.
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