KISUMU, Kenya, May 3 – Beach Management Units (BMUs) along the Lake Victoria Basin have called for help in the wake of floods, which have affected several landing beaches, thus threatening a shortage of fish in the country.
Tom Guda, National Chair, BMU Network Kenya, says the fishing community has been neglected by both the national and county governments in flood mitigation measures.
Guda says several landing beaches in the counties bordering the lake, including Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori, have been affected.
“We have done our assessment in the affected counties and hundreds of fishermen are adversely affected by the floods,” he said.
He disclosed that on many occasions they have reached out to the two levels of government for support with little or no help.
Guda noted that the flooding has led to the submerging of docking piers, shops, and fish bandas, rendering hundreds of fishermen jobless.
“Only a few fishermen go to the lake because it is risky, those who make it have nowhere to land their catch, it is messy,” said Guda.
He says the situation calls for attention but wonders why the government is keen on addressing the flood menace in other areas but the fishing community remains neglected.
Speaking to the press on Friday, Guda also challenged governors within the lake basin to come to the aid of the fishermen.
He says governors should prioritize giving help to the fishermen as they do to other flood affected families.
“Our fishermen are now hungry, their source of livelihood is dwindling,” he said.
The BMU chairman says if the situation persists, then a looming shortage of fish will be experienced in the country.
