There is nothing wrong with Chinese Fish in Kisumu

Not long ago Kenyans were told that the fish they have been consuming for a while, especially those who have consumed fish in Kisumu, might not have necessarily originated from Lake Victoria. ‘Chinese Fish Floods Kisumu Markets’ was the title the Standard, on its online version dated Monday July 4, 2016 gave the story when it was first featured. The title was most likely picked to illicit emotions, because it did. True to our diversity as a nation, different reactions followed.

There was an outcry, both from seasoned and aspiring politicians from Kisumu County terming it economic sabotage. Some saw the hands of the Jubilee government in wanting to kill the economic lifeline of the people from the lake region. A few daring individuals on social media took the debate a notch higher; they questioned the safety of such fish for human consumption, the simple reason being that the fish comes from China. For those who can recall the term ‘China’ has been a street language in Kenya for a while, denoting anything that we feel is not a genuine product. Then of course there are those who felt there is nothing wrong with Chinese Fish in Kisumu.