Grapevine

Kenya leads two other countries to fight crime on Lake Victoria

Women traders enter the waters in wait for fishermen selling silver cyprinid commonly known as omena at Sindo beach along the shore of Lake Victoria on June 05, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

A top government official has said three countries sharing Lake Victoria have established a working group to monitor human trafficking, smuggling and other crimes on the lake.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omolo said the group was established two years ago to help the three countries address border insecurity and transnational organized crime on Lake Victoria following the illegal movement of people that posed a threat to security in the region.

The PS who was speaking in Mombasa on Monday said the group consisting of officers from key border agencies had made strides in such discussions on border governance institutions and regulatory frameworks.

"Our journey thus has already been marked by several significant milestones. In Kisumu, we began crucial discussions on border governance institutions and regulatory frameworks. In Entebbe we validated assessment reports and made the strategic decision to invite the East African Community to join our efforts while in Mwanza we focused on building the capacities of our border authorities through the provision of equipment and comprehensive training programs,” said Omollo.