Fishermen on Lake Victoria have asked the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute to investigate increases cases of mysterious death of tilapia in the lake.
The fishermen have said investigations and more research will play a key role in providing solutions to the deaths that has left many counting losses.
The appeal comes after a number of young tilapia species were found dead and floating on the lake.
According to the fishermen, it has come a concern to them because initially only the fish in the cages would die but currently, the situation seems to have escalated to the entire lake.
Fish farmers and consumers have been calling on KMFRI to move swiftly and investigate the incidences amid fears that the deaths would be a great risk to human health.
Early in the year, a report by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs said extreme temperatures coupled with low oxygen levels attributed to pollution are to blame for the mass fish deaths being experienced on the lake.
The report said the farmers had suffered losses of over Sh928 million.
The report was released by a multi-agency team that was tasked with investigating the fish deaths - a phenomena of sudden and unexpected death of a number of fish or acquatic organisms over a short period of time.
The latest incident occurred on Monday morning near Kendu Bay Pier in Rachuonyo North Sub-county.
The fish were seen floating on the water, some alive others dead.
Residents' attention was drawn by a huge number of birds which were hovering at the lakeshore. The birds flocked the area as they could be seen scavenging on the fish from water as they flew.
A few minutes later, some youth decided to collect the fish. Their intention was to eat the fish or sell them.
Abdala Ondiegi, a resident of the area said, " We have seen youth collecting the dead fish with an intention of either selling gthem or consuming. We are yet to establisg what is causing the deaths and we fear that our lives would be at risk if the death is caused by poisoning."
Beach Management Units chairperson Ibrahim Kasera said fish had died in many beaches in the area since Thursday last week.
Kasera said the fish portrayed signs of suffocation before they died.
"I have monitored the fish when they are overwhelmed. Most of them jump from the water to show that they are looking for oxygen. This implied they were suffocating in the water," Kasera said.
He said to dispel fears among locals, the respective state agencies should investigate and conduct more research on how the situation can be restored to normalcy.
Kasera said their assumption is that the death would be caused by pollution when the water turns dark blue.
"We are not sure of the safety of the dead fish if consumed by human beings. We also appeal to government agencies to test suitability of the water for human consumption because it is dark instead of being clear," Kasera added.
Homa Bay County Director of Fisheries George Okoth said he had heard about the death of fish.
"I have sent our officers at the sub-county to look into the matter and furnish us with a comprehensive report," Okoth said.
