Tens of sacked flower farm workers in Naivasha have now turned to the lake for their livelihood, leading to a major crisis.
With farms and hotels closed down due to the Covid-19 outbreak, hundreds of workers in and around the lakeside town have been sent home without pay.
The situation has been worsened by the closure of schools, with minors joining in the competition for fish despite the dangers posed by marauding hippos that have killed more than 10 people this year.
Naivasha subcounty fisheries officer Nicholas Kagundu said the lake was under high pressure due to the new entrants referred to us foot fishermen or poachers.
Kagundu noted that the closure of tens of farms and hotels had contributed to the crisis, terming it as worrying.
“Before the virus, we had a manageable crowd of foot fishermen but with the current crisis everybody has turned to the lake,” he said.
The fisheries officer noted that the situation had been worsened by the number of informal estates around the lake.
“We have Karagita, Kamere, DCK, Tarembete, Kihoto and Kwa Muhia estates which are homes to the sacked workers who have now turned into the lake,” he said.
The official admitted that all the gains made in restocking the lake would be eroded in a couple of months due to the new challenge, with the number of those involved increasing by the day.
“We are working with KWS and police in patrolling the lake but this is not enough and there is an urgent need to address this or fish production might be brought to its knees.”
Subcounty commissioner Mathioya Mbogo admitted that the issue had been raised with the security committee.
He said they would meet various stakeholders including KWS, fisheries and county representatives to formulate a way forward over the crisis.
“This crisis has been brought about by loss of jobs due to the virus outbreak but we shall not allow some people to use this excuse to break the law,” he said.
Honourary game warden David Kilo said seining (fishing along the shores) and use of undersize nets had become the norm.
He attributed the recent hippo attacks to the high number of the illegal fishermen, warning that if this was not contained the fishing sector would be dead by the end of the year.
“The lake has become the only source of livelihood and food for tens of sacked workers and they are using undersize nets to fish,” he said.
One of the sacked workers identified only as Wilberforce said he had been forced into the lake by the current circumstances.
“We have families to feed after our employer kicked us out due to this crisis and the lake is the only option where one can get food and a few coins to buy unga,” he said.
Edited by R.Wamochie
