Kisii fish farmers have been advised not to use chlorinated water as it hurts production.
Agriculture executive Esman Onsarigo on Wednesday urged them to use borehole water or harvest rainwater instead.
Speaking in his office, he urged farmers to seek support from his department to build liner ponds, which are cheap and easy to manage.
Chlorine kills the fish's living cells, damaging its sensitive gills and the skin. This leads to respiratory problems and may eventually kill them.
“The county has a demand of 300 tonnes of fish but only manages to get 17 tonnes,” Onsarigo said.
Due to the shortage, he said, traders have been forced toimport from neighbouring countries and China, leading to an increase in prices.
Onsarigo said a new fish market is about to completed and coolers will be installed.
Onsarigo said the county has set aside Sh5 million to complete and equip the market.
He said two multiplication centres are being built in Kisii town and Bomorenda ward in Bonchari constituency to breed fingerlings that will be sold at subsidised prices.
Onsarigo urged residents who farm near rivers not to plant eucalyptus as they consume a lot of water.
