Joho summoned by Senate over Lake Nakuru fish

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has been summoned by the Senate to explain his declaration that fish from Lake Nakuru was fit for human consumption.

Joho has been invited to appear before the Senate National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday next week to elaborate the scientific and policy basis for the declaration, with Senators arguing that it went against reports by experts.

The Committee Chairperson Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo stated that Joho’s position contradicted professional reports which had classified the fish as unsafe and that he should come and explain why he issued assurances that in their view could expose Kenyans to health risks.

“The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations stands by earlier expert guidance that fish from Lake Nakuru was unfit for human consumption, that is why we have invited the Cabinet Secretary Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs,” said Dullo.

The Isiolo Senator cautioned the Cabinet Secretary against issuing contradictory statements that could put public health at risk and that such decisions should only be made after the relevant experts issued a clean bill of health after they raised concerns over safety.

Joho last month sparked fresh controversy after appearing to authorise fishing in the lake despite the government warnings that the activity is illegal and that fish harvested from the lake could pose health risks with those found violating the directive being arrested.

Speaking during an empowerment programme in Nakuru last month, Joho directed police officers not to arrest fishermen operating in the lake, declaring that he had granted them permission to continue fishing since the fish was fit to be eaten by locals.

“I am directing police officers to stop interfering with fishermen at Lake Nakuru, I am giving this is order in my capacity as the Cabinet Secretary responsible for fisheries, fishermen should not be harassed by anyone as they exercise their activities at the lake,” said Joho.

The Senate Committee had April this year directed the Fisheries Department to conduct research to establish the suitability of consuming fish from Lake Nakuru following doubts raised by petitioners over the veracity of the reports.

The Committee had given the Director General Kenya Fisheries Service (KFS) Daisy Muriuki two weeks to table a report on the results of the tests done on the fish from Lake Nakuru after petitioners representing fishermen raised concerns over their harassment.

The petitioners Tom Mboya and Dr Peter Mbae painted a grim picture of how local fishermen were being terrorised by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) while powerful individuals are being protected to fish the contaminated commodity which finds itself in most towns for sale.

“The Senate National Security and Defence Committee has directed that the Kenya Fisheries Service should conduct research and test if the fish from Lake Nakuru is fit for human consumption and present the results within 14 days,” said Dullo.

Dr Mbae maintained that there are some powerful individuals from Nakuru County who are engaged in illegal fishing in the lake despite the ban on fishing in Lake Nakuru with illegal, toxic fish often being sold as “fresh tilapia” in markets as far as Nairobi and Kisumu.

The petitioners told Senators that they were concerned that while the ordinary fishermen are being arrested by Kenya Wildlife Service officers for conducting illegal fishing in Lake Nakuru National Park, some influential individuals are carrying out illegal fishing of the said harmful fish.

"Sometimes we are left wondering on whether this is not scheme to keep off the locals from engaging in fishing while the bigwigs are left to have a field day carrying out fishing for the fish which are then supplied across the country to unsuspecting Kenyans,” claimed Dr Mbae.

Mboya said that it was upon the Senate to verify whether what they have said is true or not and that the reason as to why they decided to seek their help is because their communication channels with KWS had broken down and they could no longer engage to sort out any emerging issues.

The petitioners said that there are many cases of youths who have disappeared as they try to run away from KWS officers with many drowning in the lake and that it was high time that a lasting solution was made to ensure that fishing at the lake  was legalised to end loss of life.

"We are appealing for a lasting solution by ensuring that fishing is legalised at Lake Nakuru and the implementation of recommendations made to clean the lake, we do not want our youths to continue disappearing while influential individuals are engaged in fishing,” said Mboya.

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Director General Mamo B Mamo told the committee that major pollution sources of Lake Nakuru include untreated effluents from the Nakuru Sewerage plant, industrial waste and storm water runoff.

Mamo was categorical that a study done by Kenya Fisheries Research Institute KEMFRI) in 2022 showed that Nile tilapia from Lake Nakuru is not safe for human consumption, being limited by elevated levels of endosulfan and that it was prohibited for fishing activities to be carried out.

The NEMA Director General said that research has consistently found high levels of organochlorine pesticides and nitrates in the water and fish tissues, chemicals which are linked to long-term health risks, including hormonal disruption.

Mamo told Senators that the lake is a “closed basin” with no outlet, meaning untreated sewage and industrial effluent from Nakuru city accumulate over time a situation that has made the lake anoxic (oxygen-depleted) in many areas.

“Since the results of the present study indicate that Lake Nakuru fish is not fit for human consumption, an immediate ban on fish harvesting and consumption from Lake Nakuru is recommended,” said Mamo.

Scientific studies by KEMFRI confirmed that the fish are unfit for human consumption due to high levels of toxic heavy metals, specifically arsenic (found at levels up to 32 per cent), as well as nitrates and pesticides from untreated sewage and industrial waste.

The lake is a protected Ramsar Wetland and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Illegal fishing activities threaten the ecological balance, endanger wildlife like hippos and crocodiles, and provide cover for poachers in the rhino sanctuary.

Ms Muriuki told the committee that data show a deterioration in ecological health and a need for intensified enforcement and restoration efforts and that her department does not licence fishermen to fish in Lake Nakuru, adding that fishing in the said lake is not permitted.

“Fishing in Lake Nakuru National Park is not permitted and all matters pertaining to the activities and security is a responsibility of Kenya Wildlife Services,” said Ms Muruiki.

She further disclosed that Kenya Fisheries Service is not involved in residue monitoring and control for contaminants in Lake Nakuru as it is not permitted and it is not a fishery water body.