Beach Management Units Elections Successful As Five BMU's to Vote Later

Out of 18 Beach Management Units in Bunyala and Samia along Lake Victoria in Busia county, 15 managed to conduct their elections peacefully while three Units suspended their elections.

Elections were suspended at Bukoma, Marenga, and Sio Port Beach Management Units after the voters refused to be guided by the law, forcing the returning officer, Mr. Charles Ondu in consultation with the County Director of Fisheries, Ms. Hendrix Owori to call off the exercise.

Other units that did not carry out elections include Osieko, Marenga and Omena BMUs due to petitions challenging the then leadership bringing it to five BMUs which are scheduled to vote later.

“Marenga, Sio Port and Bukoma voters have refused to be guided by the Fisheries Management and Development regulations 2024 in conducting the elections. For this reason, elections in these beaches are suspended,” directed Owori in her suspension letter to the three BMUs.

According to the letter, the management of the five beaches will solely be under the directorate of Fisheries, which will then appoint an interim team of management until fresh elections are done.

Nevertheless, she expressed her gratitude noting that they had achieved over 90% success in the just concluded BMU elections adding that there is a legit and able team that will work together to ensure better management and maximization of the potential of the beaches.

The Assistant Director of Fisheries from the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries who was also the returning Officer in the election, Mr. Charles Ondu, said the elections were free and fair calling upon the County Government to ensure the suspended beaches get their substantive representatives in office as soon as they can.
“Those who have been elected will be in the office for the next four years and are eligible for reappointment for another three years,” said Ondu noting that there were very high stakes in this round of election considering that these officials manage resources at the beaches, one of the reasons for the competitiveness.

Ms. Elizabeth Abangi, the presiding officer at Mulukoba Beach, said the turn-up was very high in major categories (traders, boat owners, and crew) who voted in two rounds just to get their representatives.

The newly elected Mulukoba Beach Chairperson, Mr. Omollo Ojiambo said his office endeavors to better the fishing sector by encouraging members to venture into fish farming activities to reduce the pressure on Lake Victoria.