Fishermen getting ready for work in Lake Victoria /Photo courtesy
Michael Nyaguti, the chairman of Magnam Environmental Network, has made an impassioned plea to the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Mr. Ali Hassan Joho, to urgently intervene and rescue Lake Victoria from the ravages of illegal fishing practices. Nyaguti emphasized that the use of outlawed fishing gears, locally known as Amuok and Bunglu, is destroying fish stocks, pushing riparian communities into extreme poverty, and degrading the lake’s ecosystem.
Speaking to The Nyanza Review at his Rota village home in Kisumu West on Monday, December 16, 2024, Nyaguti urged the CS to declare the declining fish stocks and the subsequent loss of livelihoods as a national disaster. He called for the formation of a special task force to investigate the state of fishing in Lake Victoria, particularly in Kenyan waters, and to address the corruption and inefficiencies plaguing the industry.
“The depreciation of fish stocks in Lake Victoria and the resulting job losses and environmental degradation require urgent attention. This is a disaster that cannot be ignored,” Nyaguti said.
The environmental advocate alleged that corruption within the Department of Fisheries, Beach Management Units (BMUs), and even the Kenya Coast Guard has allowed illegal fishing to thrive.
According to Nyaguti, some officials have enabled unqualified individuals to register as BMU members, facilitating the landing and sale of undersized fish in open defiance of regulations.
“Confiscated illegal fishing gear often finds its way back to the owners after bribes are exchanged, while BMU office bearers continue to cling to their positions beyond the two-term limit, worsening the situation,” he added.
Nyaguti also highlighted political interference, accusing influential figures of encroaching on fish breeding wetlands and undermining conservation efforts. He described the situation as a betrayal of riparian communities who depend on the lake for their survival.
While Nyaguti’s concerns have resonated with many, some officials have refuted his claims. Speaking anonymously, the chairman of Ngege BMU dismissed the allegations, insisting that his members strictly adhere to fishing regulations.
“As BMU chairman, I have worked closely with the fisheries department and the Kenya Coast Guard to crack down on illegal fishing activities. These allegations are baseless,” he said.
A senior fisheries officer in Kisumu West Sub-county also defended the department, asserting that they remain vigilant in enforcing the law.
“We have arrested and prosecuted several individuals for using illegal fishing gear. The department is committed to ensuring sustainable fishing practices in Lake Victoria,” the official stated.
Despite these assurances, the challenges facing Lake Victoria persist. Nyaguti and his network maintain that without decisive intervention from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, the lake’s fish stocks and the livelihoods of thousands who depend on them will continue to decline.
Their appeal to Cabinet Secretary Joho serves as a call to action, urging the government to prioritize the restoration of Kenya’s largest freshwater resource and safeguard the future of riparian communities.
