Tanzanian Authorities Demand Sh1.3 Million To Release Kenyan Fishermen Arrested In Lake Victoria

Tanzanian authorities are demanding Sh1.3 million for the release of 36 fishermen that were arrested on the Tanzanian side of Lake Victoria. They have also demanded for Sh200,000 for for each of the 10 boats that were captured.

The Homa Bay County Beach Management Units Network Chairman Edward Oremo  confirmed the arrests of the fishermen stating that the Tanzanian authorities said that the Kenyan fishermen had trespassed into their waters in Lake Victoria.

This is the second time that fishermen are being arrested by Tanzanian officials. In September they were arrested and the authorities demanded for Sh37,000 from each before they were released.

This latest arrest has increased the tension between Kenya and Tanzania. Muhuru Ward Beach Management Unit Chairman Tobias Mragire has said that there was hostility in the way the Tanzanian officials were handling Kenyan fishermen.

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He asked the Kenyan government to intervene as the situation was getting out of hand. Tanzania recently ignored a deal  to allow Kenya to export sweets into their market saying that Kenyan manufacturers already had an unfair advantage.

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