By Fredrick Odiero
Beach managers have asked President William Ruto to include the fishing sector in his fiscal plans and rename the Ministry of Agriculture and Blue Economy to include Fisheries and Aquaculture.
They claimed that the fishing industry contributes about 1 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 2 per cent of the national export earnings thus it plays a very significant role that cannot be overlooked.
The fishermen led by National Beach Management Units (BMU) Chairman Tom Guda who was addressing the press at Dunga Beach in Kisumu, they said that they felt unrecognized and unrepresented in the recent Cabinet formation by President Ruto.
“We would be glad to have a distinct fisheries ministry or state department to address the fisherman’s ever increasing plight,” Guda said
While naming his Cabinet, the President nominated Mithika Linturi as Cabinet Secretary in charge of Agriculture, Mining and Blue economy.
They claimed that failure to include a State Department for Fisheries and Aquaculture would undermine the advances the fisheries sector had made thus far.
“We want someone who will be key in helping us to deal with matters fisheries right from the production and up to supplies value chain,” he said.
He said that the industry employs over 60,000 fishermen directly and an estimated 1.2 million people directly and indirectly.
Guda added that millions of Kenyans rely on fish as an affordable source of nutrition and its production line employs thousands of people making it a source of food security.
“It is estimated that Kenya’s marine fishery has the potential to produce of 150,000 metric tons to 300,000 metric tons of fish annually,” he said.
On arrest of Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria, Homabay BMU Chair Edward Oremo asked the President to use his bilateral relationship with Uganda to safeguard the local fisherman’s interests.
Oremo disclosed that 32 of 40 Kenyan fishermen who were recently arrested for allegedly trespassing in Uganda had been released but the remaining eight were still languishing in Ugandan jails for failing to raise a Ksh. 24,000 fine.
“With the President committed to ensure a borderless East African community, the launching pad should be Lake Victoria,” he said.
Migori BMU Chair John Odhiambo echoed Oremo’s thoughts and added that they were demanding a stop to the frequent harassment and arrest of Kenyan fishermen for alleged trespassing.
“We want to see Ruto’s shuttle diplomacy and bilateral relationship translate into creation of more wealth and jobs for our people and businesses to grow,” he said.
Also in attendance was Siaya BMU Chair Meshack Okuku. Busia’s Sylvester Kaywa, National BMU Treasurer Victor Mungu and a host of committee members drawn from the Great Lake region.
Fishermen ask Ruto to add Fisheries and Aquaculture ministry in Cabinet
By Fredrick Odiero
Beach managers have asked President William Ruto to include the fishing sector in his fiscal plans and rename the Ministry of Agriculture and Blue Economy to include Fisheries and Aquaculture.
They claimed that the fishing industry contributes about 1 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 2 per cent of the national export earnings thus it plays a very significant role that cannot be overlooked.
The fishermen led by National Beach Management Units (BMU) Chairman Tom Guda who was addressing the press at Dunga Beach in Kisumu, they said that they felt unrecognized and unrepresented in the recent Cabinet formation by President Ruto.
“We would be glad to have a distinct fisheries ministry or state department to address the fisherman’s ever increasing plight,” Guda said
While naming his Cabinet, the President nominated Mithika Linturi as Cabinet Secretary in charge of Agriculture, Mining and Blue economy.
They claimed that failure to include a State Department for Fisheries and Aquaculture would undermine the advances the fisheries sector had made thus far.
“We want someone who will be key in helping us to deal with matters fisheries right from the production and up to supplies value chain,” he said.
He said that the industry employs over 60,000 fishermen directly and an estimated 1.2 million people directly and indirectly.
Guda added that millions of Kenyans rely on fish as an affordable source of nutrition and its production line employs thousands of people making it a source of food security.
“It is estimated that Kenya’s marine fishery has the potential to produce of 150,000 metric tons to 300,000 metric tons of fish annually,” he said.
On arrest of Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria, Homabay BMU Chair Edward Oremo asked the President to use his bilateral relationship with Uganda to safeguard the local fisherman’s interests.
Oremo disclosed that 32 of 40 Kenyan fishermen who were recently arrested for allegedly trespassing in Uganda had been released but the remaining eight were still languishing in Ugandan jails for failing to raise a Ksh. 24,000 fine.
“With the President committed to ensure a borderless East African community, the launching pad should be Lake Victoria,” he said.
Migori BMU Chair John Odhiambo echoed Oremo’s thoughts and added that they were demanding a stop to the frequent harassment and arrest of Kenyan fishermen for alleged trespassing.
“We want to see Ruto’s shuttle diplomacy and bilateral relationship translate into creation of more wealth and jobs for our people and businesses to grow,” he said.
Also in attendance was Siaya BMU Chair Meshack Okuku. Busia’s Sylvester Kaywa, National BMU Treasurer Victor Mungu and a host of committee members drawn from the Great Lake region.
