Counties

Lake Naivasha fishermen raise the alarm over spread of water hyacinth

hyacinth

A fisherman grapples with water hyacinth on Lake Naivasha. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NMG

Fishermen in Nakuru County have raised the alarm over the fast growth of the water hyacinth on Lake Naivasha.

They have accused the county and national governments of failing to address the threat posed by the invasive weed on the fishing industry.

The fishermen told the Business Daily that the noxious weed had spread on the lake and was negatively affecting fishing.

“The hyacinth is hurting fishing as it destroys fishing nets and chokes fish.

“We call upon the government to intervene immediately and save the fresh-water lake,” said Daniel Onyango, Kamere beach one chairman.

The Business Daily learnt that some sections of the lake could be accessed due to the thickness of the hyacinth.

“Those who depend on the lake for their livelihood are suffering yet nothing is being done to stop the hyacinth from further spreading,” said Wesley Kimutai, vice-chairperson of Kamere beach.

The fishermen said both levels of government have a responsibility to take care of the lake, natural resource that enables thousands of locals to earn a living.

“It is regrettable that fishing in the region now faces a gloomy future due to inaction by both levels of the government.

“The hyacinth covers nearly a third of the Lake, paralysing fishing,” said Mr Kimutai.

Nakuru governor Kinuthia Mbugua has in the past assured players in the fishing industry of commitment by the county to improve the sector.

The lake is not only battling invasion by the water hyacinth but also siltation, illegal fishing, pollution and degradation of the catchment area.

The destruction of the papyrus swamps in the area has drastica