Chinese fish in Kisumu. Of all the economic woe stories that have hit Kenya in the last decade, including regression of the economy to negative digits after the 2008 post-election violence, this story was one of the most depressing. Those who know me recognise my affinity for Lake Victoria’s Tilapia, best enjoyed at Kisumu’s boisterous Lwangni Beach. This matter is therefore partly personal.
As a matter of principle, I would not partake of fish knowing it has been shipped from China, though there are credible concerns that the fish may have pirated off the West African Coast! Since my palate may not easily distinguish fish from the East, there is a real possibility Lwangni is off limits till this Chinese fish matter is concluded.
On a more serious note, the importation of cheap Chinese fish in Kenya raises numerous policy questions. One must start with recognition of just how critical the fish industry is, not just for the region bordering Lake Victoria, which produces more than 80 per cent of Kenya’s fish, but for Kenya generally. Not only is fishing a major economic activity that brings in about Sh7 billion each year in foreign exchange, fishing impacts the lives of millions in the Nyanza and Western region.
The industry employs thousands and has both social and economic impact for many families. It impacts the nutritive health of the population particularly in the region and indeed the increasing scarcity and expense of fish in the last few years has led to a decline in the per capita consumption of fish.
I have therefore always been surprised that there has been no outcry particularly from the five counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Migori and Homa Bay whose populations depend on fishing as fish stocks continue to dwindle.
About five years ago, I took a boat ride from Kisumu’s Dunga Beach to a most beautiful resort in Kisindi, off Kendu Bay. I remember commenting to my “coxswain” that even for me who was not a fishing expert, the methods of fishing that I observed were destined to obliterate the industry. I was also concerned that due to lack of cooling facilities, the poor fishermen were at the mercy of traders who braved the horrible roads that defined the lake region. At that time, the only available government was the Central government that I assumed was distracted by more urgent business nearer to Nairobi to do anything about distant Nyanza.
Four years into devolved government, with an improved road network, can someone explain to me why invasive fishing methods continue unabated, not to talk of lack of sufficient cooling facilities in the region? Why has vigorous restocking not been implemented, especially because agriculture is now a devolved function? I would have expected that an emergency of sorts would have been declared by the host county governments, with or without the support of the national government to ensure a “marshal plan” for the industry. How can we sit back, next to the second largest fresh water lake in the world, and watch a previously vibrant industry’s slow death due to easily avoidable practices? Isn’t this the very reason why county governments exist; their ability to offer contextualised solutions for local problems? I seek forgiveness if I speak out of ignorance and that in fact the national and the five county governments are implementing significant measures to ensure that this industry does not sink the way of the sugar industry.
As for the national government, I recognise that the instinctive reaction is to seek protective measures against importation but while that is necessary as an interim safeguard measure, it will mean nothing if not accompanied by policies and actions that ensure the recovery of this vital industry. There will be need for targeted financial support, like was granted in the case of miraa, preferably through conditional grants to affected county governments. If urgent interventions are not carried out, the continued impoverishment of the millions dependent on this industry will be a ticking time bomb. It’s diffusion will cost us much more than the meagre resources required to get this vital industry back on track, and me confidently back to Lwangni’s Tilapia Beach resort.
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