In relieving news,it has been reported that the six Kenyan fishermen who were arrested and charged by the Tanzanian government for over three months have been after giving ksh 200,000 fine.
“At last we are free at last.It was four months of hell, being beaten and sometimes denied food,” said Jared Okoth, one of the fishermen.
Mr Opiyo Otiwa, one of the fisherman who was arrested together with Okoth requested the Kenyan government to provide security for Kenyan fishermen in the lake.
He said the six boats which were seized by Tanzania security were exposed in direct sunlight for three months now, they have cracks which cannot be repaired.
“Our people need security, we pay taxes to the Government and we don’t know why we are suffering when the Government is silent in these issue. These people need compensation, their boats are worn out and they cannot use them anymore because they are licking,” he said.
Mihuru Bay ward representative Hevron Mahira accused the government of failing to protect its citizens from external aggression.
“Kenyan fishermen are facing harassment from our neighbours Tanzania and Uganda but the government is just silent over the matter,” said Mr Maira.
The ward rep said Tanzanian and Ugandan security officials have been extorting Kenyan fishermen. Mr Mahira said the security officer arrest Kenyan fishermen to force them to part with their hard-earned money to their secure freedom.
“The fishers keep spending a lot of money to get released whenever they are arrested. This has become a big business for the Ugandan and Tanzanian security officials,” Mr Maira said.