War on water hyacinth proves costly for State

A Tanzanian vessel stuck in water hyacinth in Lake Victoria at the port of Kisumu on February 14. The fast-spreading weed has paralysed fishing in the lake, affecting over four million people who depended on it for their livelihood. [Photo: Denish Ochieng/Standard]

From a distance, Lake Victoria looks like a well-maintained golf course. The deep green colour you see makes you think it is grass that has been watered properly. However, there is nothing to marvel about here; this is water hyacinth that has invaded the lake, taking away the livelihoods of the surrounding communities, especially fishermen.

The weed suffocating the lake has defied millions of shillings the Government and other stakeholders have invested on intervention measures.