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The County Government of Homa Bay will provide life jackets to Fishermen to help curb frequent accidents on its side of Lake Victoria. Governor Cyprian  Awiti said he was currently in discussion with Beach Management Unit leaders  from all the beaches in the  county  over  the  Life Jackets  and  many  other issues  affecting fishermen. Mr. Awiti also said his government will  distribute  gas powered  cooler boxes to  strategic  fish landing beaches to help  address  post-harvest  loses that  has  made fishermen to incur massive losses.

Speaking at his residence in  Mawego on Wednesday, when he received a delegation of Women and youth, Mr. Awiti  said the County Government will also procure 5 patrol boats to help boost security monitor fishing activities in the lake.

“The engine powered boats will be stationed  on  Mfangano, Rusinga, Mbita, Suba  and  in Karachuonyo.  They will be used to not only police the lake but to monitor fishing activities by the Beach Management Unit officials.”

The governor said the government has also started constructing modern toilets at major fish landing beaches to help improve sanitation. “I am closely monitoring the activities on the lake because the fisheries sub-sector is a major driver of our economy.   We want to work very closely with the fishermen through their societies to ensure we manage the fisheries in a sustainable manner,” said the governor. The governor said he was worried about the frequent accidents in the lake, hence the decision to distribute the life jackets. On Health, Mr. Awiti said the government will upgrade  Sena health center on Mfangano island to a full sub county hospital.

“We will also put up Medical Training schools at the Rachuonyo South and Sindo Sub county hospitals,” he said.

Mr. Awiti  said his government was committed in empowering the women, the youth and people with disabilities but challenged them to register companies to enable them bid for tenders in the County Government.

“We cannot help you as individuals.  You need to come together, form cooperatives and register business companies to give us easy time in awarding you contracts,” said Mr. Awiti. The governor also promised to help youths engaging in  Boda  Boda taxi business that he will help them register for driving lessons to enable them get riding licenses.

He briefed the delegation about his development scorecard since 2013 and listed opening of roads, sinking of 50  boreholes, employment of 1,270 Early Childhood teachers, 285 health workers and distribution of business  equipment under the Economic stimulus program.

Speaking that the function, the Karachuonyo Women Orange Democrats, Mrs Ruth Ojuka and youth leader Maurice Okoth said they were satisfied with  Mr. Awiti’s development record.