The Nakuru County government will put up a modern fish market that will help address illegal fish hawking along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the market that will occupy a two-acre parcel of land will have modern facilities for rest rooms and refreshments for commuters and motorists plying the route.
Kinyanjui said for a long time traders seeking to sell fish along the highway had challenges ranging from storage of the perishable product to poor hygiene which he said the modern market will address.
The governor said his government has already set aside the funds for the construction and was now looking for land for the facility.
He made the remarks when he inspected the ongoing construction of a modern fish storage and processing plant at Central Landing Beach on the shores of Lake Naivasha.
At the same time, Kinyanjui observed that the lake’s ecosystem remained largely unexploited due to mismanagement that has left the economic potential ranging from fishing, tourism and irrigation not fully taped.
He emphasised the need to conserve and protect the lake from pollution and unregulated fishing adding that the plant will enable the fishermen and traders to add value and maximize their profits as fish from the lake will be stored for a longer period before being transported to other markets.
“The plant will also process fish and fish products and be packed and sold as end products to customers both locally and in the region,” he said.
The Chairman Lake Naivasha Boat owners association, David Kilo expressed concern over increased number of illegal fishermen who he said were fishing along the beach line sweeping out all fingerlings that were recently restocked and putting the future of the lake at risk.
Kilo urged the national and county governments to move with speed and resolve the issue of water hyacinth which has currently covered nearly a third of the lake threatening the livelihoods of thousands of people who directly and indirectly rely on the resource.
By Esther Mwangi/Hannah Wangui
