The government of Kenya has announced plans to set up new landing bay at Sori Beach in Migori County. Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy PS Dr. Francis Owino made the announcement and said that the project funds have been allocated in this financial year 2021/2022.
He further explained that the government had terminated contract for the old unfinished landing bay due to continuous rising of water levels of Lake Victoria which had already submerged part of the building. The old unfinished landing site was constructed in 2009. The Government was in the process of finishing the site, but part of the building is already submerged by rising water from the lake. The modern bay aims to improve if the proposed in the county.
Identity of higher grounds
Fishermen will have their fish processed and stored, awaiting to be moved to different markets. The PS also said that higher grounds have been identified to reconstruct landing sites at Nyandiwa Beach in Homabay County, Wichlum and Luanda Kotieno in Siaya County and Ogal site in Kisumu, all affected by the Lake rising water levels.
In addition the Kenya Maritime Authority, had signed an agreement with the Migori County Government to construct a Rescue Centre at Sori Beach. Fishermen who are attacked or their boats capsizes due to strong waves in the lake will be rescued by the Centre Monitoring Emergency Team.
“So, those five landing sites were affected by rising water levels of the Lake.The government has factored in the financial year 2021-2022 funds to reconstruct the sites at higher ground so that fishermen can benefit from the Blue Economy potential at the lake sites,” said PS Owino.
