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Concern over massive fish deaths in Lake Kenyatta, Lamu
For the past 15 years, Emmanuel Oketch has been a fisherman in Lamu, relying entirely on Lake Kenyatta for his daily activities.
The 41-year-old father of five has been earning at least Sh1,500 a day, just from the sale of fish.
All this has however changed because of the pollution currently affecting the only fresh water lake in Lamu County which is also one of the most massive fresh water sources across the entire Coast region.
The current situation has resulted in deaths of fish, making it even hard for the fishermen to continue with their daily economic activities.
Speaking to Nation.Africa, Oketch said since the massive fish death began to be witnessed two months ago, it has adversely affected the sector.
“I used to go fishing and in a day, I could catch up to 10 kilograms of fish which would fetch me not less than 1,500. Today, with too much pollution affecting the lake, you can go fishing and come with only one or two kilograms,” said Mr Oketch.
Benta Akinyi, a fisherwoman at Lake Kenyatta, admitted to having experienced a serious decline of fish in recent times due to the pollution.
“We only have small fish. All the big fish have died. They can’t stay in the affected lake due to inadequate flow of oxygen and this is directly affecting our activities as fishers” said Akinyi.
Marine experts say the lake’s pollution that has been building up over the years is reaching alarming levels, making it difficult to sustain marine life.
Benson Kariuki, the Lake Kenyatta Water Resources and Users Association (LAKWA) chair, blamed the high level of encroachment around the lake for the situation.
According to Mr Kariuki, encroachers have turned the lake’s shores and banks into farming grounds, a move that has also resulted in high erosion and silting levels.
“We have watermelon farmers undertaking activities around the lake. They apply chemicals and fertilizers. These fertilizers and pesticides end up in the lake during rains. The move facilitates massive growth of algae and in turn affects fish existence,” said Mr Kariuki.
He said since the deaths started, at least 40 percent of the fish population within Lake Kenyatta has been lost.
“I am worried. The worsening levels of pollution in Lake Kenyatta is threatening the survival of fish. We’re in a discussion to enlighten our people to avoid encroachment around the Lake,” said Mr Kariuki.
Emmanuel Wanyoike Kimwa, a resident at Mpeketoni, asked conservation bodies and the state to collaborate to find a permanent solution to the problem.
Mr Kimwa expressed concern over the health of those who may be consuming the dead fish.
“People have been collecting and eating the dead fish from Lake Kenyatta and this is dangerous health wise. It is high time research is carried out to ascertain the exact cause behind the massive fish death,” said Kimwa.
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) Director in charge of Fresh Water Research, Dr Christopher Aura said currently, Lake Kenyatta is witnessing high growth of algae that has in turn been competing for oxygen with the fish.
Dr Aura stressed that the lack of sufficient oxygen has left the fish gasping for oxygen, leading to the high number of marine life dying.
“Like human beings who suffocate when they are deprived of oxygen, the same scenario is happening at Lake Kenyatta. Due to lack of oxygen, the fish have been gasping for air as the oxygen supply available is limited. There’s a lot of algae at the lake and this results in oxygen and high nutrients concentration. The fish and algae, all compete for oxygen, resulting in fish suffocation and deaths,” said Dr Aura.
He cited some of the initiatives required to salvage the situation at the lake, including the introduction of conservation initiatives such as good agriculture practices, afforestation and agroforestry.
Dr Aura added that construction of terraces within the lake’s vicinity is also crucial.
“These are the key initiatives towards the conservation of the lake,” said Dr Aura.
Lake Kenyatta which is located in Mpeketoni, Lamu West, is estimated to cover a stretch of 3.7 square kilometres when full.
The lake was named after Kenya’s founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
In 2017, conservationists were sent into a panic after the lake dried up completely following a prolonged dry spell that hit the region.
The situation also led to the destruction of the lake’s ecosystem and marine life.
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