Kenya Coast Guard To Resume Operations In Lake Naivasha Amidst Killing Of 2 Fishermen

NAKURU,Kenya, Mar, 9 – Kenya Coast Guard Service officers patrolling Lake Naivasha are expected to resume normal patrols amidst weeks of protests following two incidents where a fisherman and trader were allegedly killed by its officers.

The Nakuru county government, security apparatus and fishermen associations have resolved to address pending issues amidst calls for justice for the deceased.

The service has been credited for restoring normalcy on the lake amidst threats of illegal fishing with fish catch said to have risen by an impressive 80 per cent.

Despite this the officers have been instructed to deal with fishermen and traders alike in a humane way amidst investigations into the two killings.

“The coast guards have the backing of the national government and we support their operations which are meant to address cases of illegal fishing,” said Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.

During a consultative meeting with fishermen Kinyanjui said that the county government is already planning on restocking fish amidst a county led program to train fishermen and coxswain on safety in a bid to address the rising cases of drowning in the lake.

“Starting end of this month we shall renew all the licenses across the lake and increase the number of fishermen by licensing 80 more new boats,” he said.

“We are grateful that the community has backed the operations of the coast guards who have come to restore sanity and order in the lake,” said Naivasha deputy County commissioner Mutua Kisilu.

KCGS Director-General Brigadier (Rtd) Vincent Naisho, during a meeting with officials of the beach management unit in Naivasha  last month regretted the recent incidents where two people lost their lives but said that the service would remain firm and continue to conduct its operations in order to ensure that the fish sector in the area thrives.

“The coast guard unit is here to stay and we are not in the process of pulling off from the lake as demanded by some quarters,” said Naisho.

The lake had in recent months made all the wrong headlines with increased cases of illegal fishing that is said to have endangered the livelihood of thousands of people.