Lake Naivasha is known for its role in high production of fish, thus helping to reduce the fish deficit in the country.
The fresh water lake has for years been supporting thousands of families who depend on the lake resources while contributing to the economic development of the lakeside town. Only five species of fish are present on the lake, all of which have been introduced. They are Oreochromis leucostictus, Tilapia zillii, Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass), Barbus amphigramma and Poecilia reticulata (guppy).
Because of availability of fish in the area, fish mongering is a common commercial activity along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway that has employed thousands of people in Naivasha and its environs.
On several occasions, the Nakuru county department of public health has banned the hawking of fish along the highway terming it a health hazard due to the manner the fish was being handled by the vendors. The hawkers also run into the risk of being knocked by speeding vehicles as they ty to sell their fish to the passing motorists and passengers. This is because there is no designated fish market on the highway.
In order to cushion the vendors from losing their means of income and streamline the trade, the county government in partnership with the Africa Green Council embarked on a project to construct an ultra-modern fish market at Karai area along the Trans African highway, a facility that would also provide travelers with an opportunity to enjoy the delicacy in a serene environment.
According to Nakuru county Trade Chief Officer Mr. Ben Sang, the Sh. 340 million project is on the verge of completion with the current administration committed to ensure the last phase that includes construction of parking spaces, setting up of electric vehicle charging ports as well as cold rooms for fish preservation is done within the stipulated timelines.
The project which commenced in 2020 but experienced some setbacks at the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, aims to resolve the perennial issue of fish sellers who lose their lives every year after being hit by speeding vehicles on the busy highway as they try to sell their wares.
The Chief Officer has expressed confidence with the progress of the project noting that traders will soon enjoy the privilege of operating in a safe and controlled environment, while at the same time ensuring that hygiene and safety of fish sold to customers is guaranteed.
The modern market is expected to have 300 stalls, with its core function including a fish value addition component.
Naivasha East Ward MCA Stanley Karanja in whose area the market is located is calling for the speedy completion of the market noting that it will boost the economy of the area and open job opportunities for unemployed youths. Karanja notes that with the delayed completion of the project will continue exposing more traders to the danger of being knocked down by speeding vehicles.
Samwel Njoroge a resident in Karai area is among those who have welcomed the setting up of the modern market in the locality saying it will improve their livelihood and boost their businesses that they immensely depend on to earn a living.
Another trader Joyce Wanjiru who sells vegetables has urged the county government to hasten the project to enable them operate from the market.
According to Wanjiru, they are forced to travel to Kinungi market which is several kilometers away to sell their vegetables which is too costly, adding that once the market is complete, it will alleviate their suffering.
In November last year, the county government of Nakuru restocked Lake Naivasha with Tilapia fingerlings worth over Sh. 2.5million in a bid replenish the dwindling fish stocks in the fresh water body.
Currently, there are 300 licensed fishing boats on Lake Naivasha manned by youth groups to ensure increased employment opportunities while also ensuring sustainable exploitation of the fisheries resources.
The lake has only five fish landing beaches including Central beach, Karagita, Kamere, Tarambete and Oloiden. But only Central beach had been gazetted leaving the other four without legal and official land documents.
The county as at December last year Nakuru County recorded fish catch weighing a total of 2,045,856 kilogrammes of fish catch with an estimated market value of Sh.247,621 663 (Sh. 248 Million from the lake with Tilapia species is the most common fish, according to the data captured.
Things are looking up for the fisheries sector as the Government is set to construct a state of the art landing site on Lake Naivasha at a cost of Sh. 100milion.
Making the announcement in Naivasha lats year, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Salim Mvurya Mgala said the landing site will have a cold room for processing and another cold room where the fisher folk can store the fish at the right temperature.
He said all these is intended to ensure that the fish the fishermen catch remains in good condition for a longer time in order to reach the market. The project is part of the bigger plan announced by the Government last year where Sh. 900million was set aside for the construction of state of the art landing sites in various parts of the country in order to improve fish catches and meet the growing demand of fish in the market. He was a
Data from the Ministry of Fisheries shows last year produced over 30,000 metric tonnes of fish which has been a big improvement from the previous years where the country produced as low as 4,000 metric tonnes annually, with aquaculture accounting for 2.7 per cent and the annual supply gap of 50,000 metric tonnes of fish is projected to increase to 75,000 by 2030 if annual per capita fish consumption remains constant at 4.3 kg.
India, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were the top five main exporters of fish to Kenya, with the country importing roughly 620,000 kilogrammes (from India), 326,000 kilogrammes (from Oman and 310 kilogrammes (from UAE) respectively. In total, Kenya imported 20 million kilos of fish worth Sh.5 billion annually to meet the deficit in fish consumption in the country.
The Government is looking forward to increasing this production through encouraging aquaculture, provision of seed (fingerlings) to farmers and establishment of centres of excellence where farmers can get quality seeds.
By Mabel Keya – Shikuku
