Siaya’s 'Garden of Eden' where unwanted water hyacinth is gold

Charles Okoth Onyango, a farmer at Dala Rieko in Asembo Bay, Siaya County uses water hyacinth as a manure. PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD

For fishermen and people living around Lake Victoria, water hyacinth is the greatest evil ever to befall the large water body. Nothing good can come out of this weed, they say.

But to a community organisation in Asembo Bay, Siaya County, the water hyacinth is a gold mine waiting to be exploited. With the help of a Norwegian philanthropist, water hyacinth has been put into good use to enhance food production and generate income.