<By Leo Odera Omolo
Fish has become a rare commodity in western Kenya forcing many families to remove fish from their minus after the post- election violence sent prices spiraling.
Kisumu known as the city of fish, is currently experiencing acute shortage of supply. Fish traders at the Main Jubilee Market have complained that this the regions worst fish shortages in history
As a result, eating fish has become an expensive affair which is far much beyond the reaches of the average rural families.
The local communities, especially the Luos are good fish eaters. The people regarded the fish as the most delicious food and apart from being engaged in fishing business, the local people have are also engaged in all sorts of fish trade.
On the other hand Kenya is earning close to Ksh.6 billion annually from Lake Victoria fishing industry. But this is now under grave threat following the countrywide post election skirmishes that has made the transportation of the commodity impossible.
The fishing industry around Lake Victoria is facing two prong threats, first, is by the re-emergence of the new type of dangerous water hyacinth which has blocked 60 per cent of all fish landing beaches. The new water hyacinth looked like Napier Grass and dairy farmers and livestock keepers says its very nutritious as animal feed
The other threat to the fishing industry is the blocked of most roads by rioters and fishermen refusing to venture into the waters, which they claim is infested by dangerous pirates from foreign countries
Fish processing companies are now at the risk of losing lucrative overseas markets to the relatively politically stable neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Uganda
Already Kenya is losing a huge chink of its fish export markets as fish filleting and exporting companies have scaled down their operation due to insecurity and transport problem.
The few suppliers who have braved the violence and barricades of roads and illegally erected on the roads by political goons have hiked prices beyond the reach of many Kenyans especially the price of the popular Ngege (Tilapia) and the Nile Perch.
The prevailing harsh situation in Nyanza has also forced fish traders to cut down supplies to the Kenyan capital Nairobi and other towns, when are equally hit the poll violence.
Fish traders at the main Kisumu Jubilee market have told this writer that the demand for the delicious tilapia ( Ngege and Nile perch ) ( Mbuta) has outstripped supply We placed orders but fish never reaches our market stalls because roads are blocked by protesters who demand colossal of money from the motorists Said one trader Mrs. Jane Okoth.
And because the road transport problem fishermen in both Rusinga and Mfangano Islands Bondo and Busia are forced to bring their catches to Kisumu along distance using boats with outboard engines whose movement have also been curtailed by the water hyacinth.
Major Hotels in Kisumu and in other western Kenya towns are also said to be feeling the pinch because it has become difficult for them to get fish. Many people said they have opted for red meat and vegetables
A visit to most fish landing beaches showed that fishing beats are grounded We cant navigate our boats in the waters which is affected by the water hyacinth as our boats are marooned and idle
Many regular suppliers have also doubled the wholesale prices because they have to pay extra levies at the many illegal road blocks set on the road by the marauding youths Commented Mr. James Onyango a fish trader at the Kisumu Jubilee market.
Fish processing firms says they have been incurring heavy losses because their vehicles cannot reach the beaches in time to bring fish because roads are blocked. Their agents have the fish, but they cannot reach the processing plants. These are by fish processing in the country with majority, being located in Nyanza Province others are found in Mombasa, Thika and Nairobi. The worst hit are the factories located in Homa- Bay, Migori and Kisumu Town.
Rioting Villagers have also been reported as staging surprise attack and boats ferrying fish from the isolated fishing island to the mainland for eventual transportation to other destination
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