Thousands left jobless as weed invades 30 beaches

Residents of Homa Bay town struggle with water hyacinth to obtain water for washing their items at Homa Bay Pire Beach in Lake Victoria on August 16,2106. more than 5,000 Fishermen and transport operators have been renders jobless after the water hyacinth invaded a number of beaches in lake Victoria. BY JAMES OMORO

Traders and fishermen are unable to access 30 beaches in Lake Victoria as they have been blocked by water hyacinth.

The weed has paralysed fishing activities and marine passenger transport, rendering thousands of people jobless, Beach Management Unit (BMU) officials said.