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Transcript/ScriptFOR USAGM SHARE
(( PLAYBOOK SLUG: KENYA ELECTRIC BOATS (TV)
HEADLINE: Electric Fishing Boats in Kenya’s Lake Victoria Help Cut Emissions
TEASER: To reduce fuel needs, Dutch company Asobo has been renting electric motors for boats on Kenya's side of Lake Victoria.
PUBLISHED: Tuesday, 05/24/2022 11:55 am
BYLINE: Juma Majanga
DATELINE: Rusinga Island, Kenya
VIDEOGRAPHER: Juma Majanga
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER: Jon Spier
SCRIPT EDITORS: DLJ, BR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:46
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[ The rising cost of fuel in Kenya is not only affecting motorists but also tens of thousands of fishermen, whose incomes depend on their boats. To reduce fuel needs, Dutch company Asobo has been renting electric motors for boats on Kenya's side of Lake Victoria and says it cannot keep up with demand. Juma Majanga reports from Rusinga Island, Kenya.]]
((NARRATOR))
It’s a new day at Nyagina beach on Rusinga Island.
And Simon Okeyo and two of his sons are installing an electric-powered motor on their boat – a first for the 69-year-old fisherman.
((Simon Okeyo, Fisherman (Luo, 18 secs))
“This one is smokeless; it is smooth and silent. The gasoline powered engine is very shaky when speeding and that shakiness can easily damage the fish. But this one doesn’t shake even when speeding, so your fish load cannot be damaged.”
((NARRATOR))
At least 30,000 fishing boats ply Lake Victoria every day.
Half of these are on the Kenyan side, with nearly all powered by fuel combustion engines that use at least 20 liters of gasoline on every fishing trip. This leads to a lot of environmental pollution.
((Michael Omondi, Kenyan Fisheries Directorate Assistant Director ((English, 23 secs))
“When we look at the use of petrol, and in the view of global warming, that is a lot of greenhouse emission being emitted into the atmosphere.”
((NARRATOR))
Dutch green startup Asobo has developed a technology that replaces combustion engines with electric motors. The motors are powered by batteries that are charged and rented out together with the motors at a fee that is 25% cheaper than using gasoline.
The batteries are equipped with a GPS tracking system for ease of location, in case of emergency.
((Oscar Ominde, Asobo Chief of Operations ((English, 14 secs))
“We have a full-service model which means that we charge the batteries. When the drive is out of order, we service it ourselves. And the fisherman’s work is just to go and get his fish.”
((NARRATOR))
Pollution is one of the reasons blamed for the declining fish population in Lake Victoria. And the rising cost of fuel has made a tough economic situation for fishers even worse.
((Godfrey Odhiambo, Asobo CEO (English, )) ((this soundbite doesn’t match))
Petrol prices, as I’m sure you are aware, have really gone through the roof. So, what we are trying to do is to alleviate some of that pressure so that, you know, the fishermen have, at the end of the day, extra money in their pocket.”
(( NARRATOR ))
And that’s welcomed by fishers who use electric motors.
((Florence Achieng, Boat Owner (Luo, 16 secs)).
“When the fuel prices were rising, us who use electric drives were not affected.”
((NARRATOR))
As demand for electric motors increases, Asobo says it remains focused on its expansion plans.
((Oscar Ominde, Asobo Chief of Operations ((English, 14 secs))
“We are targeting 100 boats in Kenya this year, next year we should be having 500 boats.”
((NARRATOR))
While electric mobility is a new concept here, fishermen like Simon Okeyo hope the new technology brings with it good fortune, at least for the next generation, if not for his.
((Juma Majanga, for VOA News, Rusinga Island, Kenya))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 24, 2022 11:55 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
