Hundreds of fishermen were dealt a blow after a contractor shut down a fish processing company in Migori on Friday, over unpaid Ksh14 million debt.
The contractor, who claimed he used over Ksh140 million to put up the fish processing factory, closed it until the arrears were settled in full.
While demanding his dues, the contractor locked the gate of the company, bringing all the operations to a halt.
The Fish Landing Site which was launched in 2022 by former Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Peter Munya, was aimed at benefitting the fishing community in the county and along the lake region by offering processing and storage facilities.
It also targeted relieving fishermen struggling to make ends meet after the state temporarily banned omena fishing to address the shortage of fish in the lake.
Residents who opposed the move stated that the factory was vital since it provided a storage and processing facility for fresh fish from Lake Victoria.
“We initially received reports of disagreements but the national govt in partnership with the county govt tried so hard to resolve the matter," noted the head of fishermen in Sori.
"The factory used to help us even despite surging prices of fish, we still had the opportunity to process and store our fish there.”
While giving his two cents on the matter, the head of fishermen in Sori disclosed that the operations of the company have been on and off despite efforts by the national government to settle the pending bills.
"We need its reopening because currently, we have a big problem in accessing storage facilities," added the chairperson in an interview with Ramogi TV.
During its launch, the government vowed to put up more facilities along the lake region to ensure that the fish community fully benefits from the venture. It also promised to reduce the fish licence fees.
“A Ksh6,000 license fee is not only exploitive but unjust to our society that is trying to make a living from this hard economic time,” noted former Agriculture CS Munya.
