Flower farms inspected as more fish die

By Antony Gitonga

Government officers from different departments have inspected various flower farms bordering Lake Naivasha as reports emerged of more fish deaths.

Hundreds of premature fish, commonly known as barbus, were found floating near Hippo Point, barely a week after the death of mature fish.

According to an eco-tourism operator David Kilo, the dead fish were found near the shores of the fast receding lake.

He termed the deaths worrying, as this meant there would be no mature fish next month.

Government officers, led by Rift Valley Provincial Director of Environment Edward Juma Masakha visited Plantations Plant Flower Farm and promised to inspect at least five others in connection with last the deaths.

"The team will inspect the concerned flower farms to ascertain their activities and the chemicals they use," he said, adding the team would also confirm if the farms had environmental audits and whether the National Environmental Management Authority had licensed them.

He said very low oxygen levels could have caused the deaths.