HOMA BAY, Kenya — Hundreds of silver cyprinid (Omena) traders and fishermen at Nyagina Beach, Rusinga Island, can continue their operations after a court temporarily blocked the Kenya Coast Guard Service from evicting them.
The traders, who have relied on a portion of land along Lake Victoria for sun-drying Omena for many years, were given a verbal eviction notice on January 21, 2026, demanding they vacate by January 27.
Nyagina BMU Chairman Joseph Kaseu challenged the eviction in Mbita Magistrate Court, suing the Attorney General, the Deputy County Commissioner for Mbita Sub-county, and the Kenya Coast Guard Service’s Mbita base commander.
Through his lawyer, Phenny Odhiambo, Kaseu argued that the land, registered under Suba County Council, is specifically reserved for Nyagina Beach and the eviction was unlawful.
Mbita Principal Magistrate Martha Agutu issued a temporary order restraining the Coast Guard from removing the traders and fishermen until the case is concluded.
