The County Directorate of Fisheries and Blue economy collaborated with KMFRI to carry out a test into the Lake Victoria water to ascertain the cause of pollution that has in the past and recently caused massive losses to fish farmers within Winam Gulf.
This initiative was carried out following a letter of complaint received by the County from the Ogal Beach Management Unit, which was among the affected beaches between November 2022 and February 2023 that cage farmers witnessed losses to the tune of hundreds of millions of Kenya shillings, including Asat beach in Seme Sub County.
The letter alleged that the fish died due to direct discharge of untreated wastes by factories around the lake among other environmental factors.
In a meeting held today at the CECM’s Office that brought on board key stakeholders such as the County directorate of fisheries and Blue Economy, the State department of Fisheries and Blue Economy, County Directorate of Water, KeFS- Kisumu, NEMA- Kisumu, ADFBE, ABDP – Kisumu,KMFRI- Kisumu, BMU Chairpersons of Kusa, Ogal and Asat , the KMFRI officers gave their findings and recommendations.
According to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) Director of Fresh Water Systems Research Dr. Christopher Aura said the effect which results of oxygen deficiency, caused by, upwelling, a natural phenomenon caused by changes in wind direction which affects currents in the lake causing the mixing of the deep waters with that from the surface of the lake.
“Due to climatic change, the water which is on the surface is light and has high temperatures. It is forced to move away and the water from below comes up and occupies that space. When upwelling occurs it for about an hour or less, the fish which is confined in the cages is deprived of oxygen,” he said.
He therefore called on the farmers to be on the lookout since Massive upwelling; he said occurs in February-March and September- early November resulting in deaths of wild fish and caged fish.
Spotted upwelling, which is unpredictable, he said, can also occur in any part of the lake at any time.
On these sentiments, the CECM, Hon Kenneth Onyango advised that when farmers notice any slight change in the water coloration (milkfish) they could sell off already grown fish to minimize the loss. The cage fish farmers should consult with KMFRI on where to put their cages.
He also tasked the county director Fisheries Madam Susan Adhiambo to hold a meeting with the BMUs in order to sensitize them to be on the lookout for such phenomenon.
On allegations of discharge of effluents from factories or waste treatment works, NEMA Officer, Mr. Leonard Ofula said such allegations must be accompanied by tangible evidence; otherwise, their organization is on the look out to deal with such vices.
He also advised that mitigation or conservation should be done upstream not downstream on rivers discharging water into the lake. Some of the rivers contain nitrates and phosphorus carried from the highlands.
It was also resolved that pollution is to be dealt with holistically. It was suggested that KIWASCO needs to upgrade their waste treatment system as it not serving optimally, currently it is at 23% yet the population of Kisumu is rapidly growing.
NEMA representative also advised KIWASCO to be on the lookout on private exhausters who avoid paying discharge fee and end up dumping the waste into rivers and the lake.
Hon. Kenneth Onyango urged for synergy among the agencies to ensure that their jurisdiction does not get into foul play.
