Traders locked out of beach

Chairman Lake Naivasha boat owners association David Kilo (R) argues with anti-riot police officers when he led members of the public in reopening a grabbed public corridor leading to Lake Naivasha. [Antony Gitonga/Standard]

The fate of more than 500 fishermen and traders operating around the populous Karagita Landing Beach in Naivasha hangs in the balance after the High Court ordered its closure.

The court ruled that a controversial corridor, located off the Moi South Lake road all the way to the beach, was private property.

This follows a prolonged court dispute between an investor and fishermen who have operated on the beach for years.

Following the ruling, former Naivasha MP John Kihagi, who was a party in the case, promised to appeal against the High Court decision.

Mr Kihagi noted that several families relied on the beach directly or indirectly for their livelihoods.

“The ruling by the High Court has caught us by surprise and we shall be heading to the Court of Appeal immediately as this beach is the only source of food for many homes,” he said.

Mercy Njambi, a trader, said the beach was among the busiest around Lake Naivasha, adding that traders sold fish as far as Nakuru and Nairobi.

She said following the ruling, the future was bleak for traders and fishermen.

“We have families that we support using the income from this beach and the High Court ruling has left us jobless,” she said.