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{
    "id": 1463826,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1463826/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 161,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Busia County, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Catherine Omanyo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to request for a Statement regarding the status of fishermen in Budalangi, on the Kenya-Uganda border area. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42(2)(c), I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations regarding harassment of Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, and the second largest in the world. It is a shared resource among the Republics of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It supports the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly those who depend on fishing. It is regrettable that Kenyan fishermen continue to face many challenges arising from transboundary conflicts with Ugandan authorities. One of these conflicts is the frequent arrest and detention of Kenyan fishermen by Ugandan security forces. Uganda accuses them of trespassing into Ugandan waters or operating without valid licences. According to reports, Ugandan police officers often confiscate boats and equipment of Kenyan fishermen and demand hefty bribes for their release. Some of these bribes can be as high as Uganda shilling 700,000. That is equivalent to Ksh30,000 per person. In some cases, Ugandan security forces have also used violence against Kenyan fishermen, resulting in injuries or even deaths. These incidents violate the rights and dignity of Kenyan fishermen, who are entitled to fish in the lake as per the agreements and protocols signed by the East African Community’s member states. These agreements and protocols include the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), established in 1994 to promote sustainable management and development of fisheries’ resources in the lake. The LVFO also aims to foster cooperation and coordination among the riparian states on issues such as fishing licences, regulations, enforcement, monitoring and research. These incidents undermine the spirit of friendship and integration between Kenya and Uganda, which have a long history of bilateral relations and cooperation. The two countries share not only a common border but also a common culture, language, heritage and destiny. It is against this backdrop that I seek a Statement from the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations on the following: The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}