Farmers become fishmongers in Nakuru

Since March this year the water levels at Lake Nakuru have been rising at a fast rate submerging private properties for tens of families living in Mwariki Estate located at the edges of the national park.

This left the affected families at the mercies of the government as they pleaded with the government to buy the land from them and revert it back to the national park.

The residents who have relocated to higher grounds have been forced to view their problems not as a curse anymore but now as a blessing.

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James Mwangi wakes up early and walks to an open area at Barut Trading Centre to meet with fishermen who spend the night fishing within waters that have submerged the place he called home for twenty years.

He keeps a keen eye on one of the fishermen’s catch before striking a conversation that ends with him getting some cash and gently slips the note into his pocket.

“It is just something small. They were fishing on my farm which is at one of the deepest end,” said Mwangi with a giggle after realizing my eyes were on him.

Though he was cautious to disclose how much the fishermen part with, The Standard established the token is usually Sh500 but varies upwards based on the catch for the day.

“It will be unfair to allow people fish on private lands as the owners suffer. Depending on their agreement they can pay Sh500 to the owner. A medium sized fish is sold at Sh150 and they make up to Sh2,000 profit on a good night,” said Patrick Mungai, a resident.

Esther Wambui, another victim of the rising water levels has since demolished her home but is among a few who have opposed the fishing activities at her farm.

"Am opposed to fishing on my farm as this may land me in trouble with authorities. Am however cooking mukimo for those doing fishing and other residents. In a day I make between Sh200 and Sh300," said Wambui.

Earlier on the residents had been crying foul urging the government to resettle them on alternative land.

With a high population in the area, roadside temporary eateries popularly known as vibandas have mushroomed at the trading center which formerly had only three shops.

Women, young and old are now making a kill by preparing the fresh fish for the residents and visitors.

For some this is now a family business as the men do the fishing while the women do the sale of their catch either raw or ready made.

Michael Gachie who lost his two acres has been inducted into fishing by an experienced fisherman he contacted from Lake Naivasha.

“I don’t have my own boat. I have engaged the services of a fisherman from Naivasha to help me in the fishing. From the catch overnight I get a few fish for free. He sells the rest to pay himself. It is a win-win situation,” said Gachie.

His wife Lucy Muthoni who never traded in fish before has now perfected the skill of preparing them for sale and cooking at her makeshift structure. She has become one of the major fish suppliers in the area.

The couple is among ten families currently hosted at St Luke Catholic Church Barut after they were displaced.

“At times I could wake up and go to my submerged home. I would leave the place with tears falling. Today I prepare the fish while smiling knowing I will have something on my table by the end of the day,” said Muthoni.

Anthony Mwangi, a fisherman explained that their peak days are on the weekends when non-residents troop to the area to enjoy boat riding sessions.

“On Sundays you may think it is a popular beach due to high number of visitors. We charge Sh100 for a 20 minutes ride. This is something new to the residents and has come in handy for our survival,” said Mwangi.

The government on the weekend confiscated boats and fishing nets from the fishermen whom it accused of being in illegal trade and placing their lives in danger by fishing beyond the private farms boundaries into the park.

However, the land owners maintain that the flooded lands are still legally theirs and thus their fishing remains legal.

“We were growing crops but we are now fishing on our own lands not in the lake. The land will remain private property unless the government acquires it by compensating us. We should not be intimidated,” said Alice Wambui.