During the Blue Economy Conference held at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay on Friday, May 30, 2025, ODM leader Raila Odinga made a passionate appeal to President William Ruto, urging the deployment of emergency rescue helicopters to address the rising number of fishermen deaths in Lake Victoria.
Raila highlighted the tragic loss of lives due to the lack of rapid response technology, emphasizing the urgent need for helicopters to facilitate timely rescue operations. “We need the choppers here like yesterday we are losing our people unnecessarily in the lake,” Raila said. The ODM leader stressed that Kenya must be proactive in saving its fishermen from drowning incidents that have become all too common.
Maritime and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, who also spoke at the conference, assured the public that a rescue helicopter would soon be deployed to the lake, bringing hope for enhanced safety measures.
In addition to rescue operations, Raila condemned the ongoing harassment of Kenyan fishermen by Ugandan marine officers in Lake Victoria. Describing the situation as “unacceptable,” he called for the deployment of Kenyan marine officers to safeguard local fishermen and prevent unnecessary confrontations.
Raila also lamented violent clashes among fishermen themselves over fishing rights, which have led to deaths. “Our fishermen are killing each other in the lake because of fish this is stupid, and we must not allow it,” he remarked. He called for harmony among local fishermen and urged authorities to restore order in the lake’s waters.
Beyond Lake Victoria, Raila raised concerns about foreign nationals, specifically Koreans and Japanese, fishing illegally in Kenyan waters along the Indian Ocean. He criticized the government’s inaction, warning that local fishermen are being pushed out and harassed.
Raila’s call to action highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect Kenya’s fishing communities both on Lake Victoria and the high seas. The deployment of emergency helicopters and Kenyan marine officers, alongside stricter enforcement against foreign fishing, could mark a significant step toward safeguarding livelihoods and lives in Kenya’s blue economy.
