‘Mondo’ is the fish ‘matumbo’ that can make you a millionaire

Shaban Kerenge (PHOTO: Jael Musumba)

Any time you visit the lake, the first business that comes to mind is fish mongering. It’s the mainstay of families living next to the lake. But do you know that some seemingly insignificant parts can make you a millionaire? Forget about the fish, the real money is inside that fish.

Shaban Kerenge, an alumnus of Moi University in Eldoret, who graduated with bachelor’s degree in business management ventured into the business of selling fish maw, popularly known as mondo by the locals. Fish maw is also known as swim bladder, gas bladder or air bladder. Mondo is a white organ found in some fish like the Nile Perch (mbuta) and mud fish. Mondo is an internal organ filled with gas and helps fish to control their buoyancy and be able to stay at their depth without having to waste energy in swimming. The bladder fills with air to help them rise or releases the air to sink.