National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on the government to urgently deploy coast guards along the Busia shores of Lake Victoria to shield Kenyan fishermen from escalating harassment by Ugandan security agencies.
Speaking on Thursday in Funyula Constituency during President William Ruto’s development tour of Busia County, the Speaker said Kenyan fishermen continued to endure intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detention over what he described as “flimsy and bogus charges.”
“The government should move with speed and deploy coast guards on the shores of Lake Victoria to safeguard our fishermen whose rights are being violated by Ugandan security officers,” Wetang’ula said.
He added that persistent incidents of extortion where detained fishermen are allegedly forced to pay bribes to secure release; risk fuelling diplomatic tension between the two neighbours.
The Speaker made the remarks at Bumbe National Polytechnic, where President Ruto presided over the laying of a foundation stone for the construction of student hostels worth KSh157 million.
Wetang’ula welcomed the government’s plan to upgrade the institution to national status, saying it would enhance enrolment, improve training standards and unlock higher government funding.
He urged the Ministry of Education to revise the technical curriculum to match current labour market demands and provide graduates with technology-driven skills for self-employment.
“Upgrading polytechnics is a positive step that will help learners acquire competitive skills for self-reliance,” he said.
President William Ruto announced that his administration will invest KSh18 billion in a wide range of transformative development projects across Busia County.
The package includes the construction of 14 modern markets, expansion of Affordable Housing units, development of student hostels at Alupe University and Amukura Teachers Training College, road upgrades, and enhanced electricity connectivity to boost economic growth and improve residents’ quality of life.
The Head of State said the investments are intended to spur economic growth across the border county, improve livelihoods and strengthen regional trade.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and several MPs, led by Funyula legislator Dr. Wilberforce Oundo, accompanied the President.
Wetang’ula applauded the show of unity, saying such cooperation enhances Western Kenya’s ability to lobby for development.
Mudavadi, meanwhile, urged residents to support President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, arguing that the Kenya Kwanza administration has delivered more projects to the region than earlier governments.
“Western has witnessed more development under President Ruto’s leadership. We should reciprocate by backing his second-term bid,” he said.
