Three suspects have been arrested by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) at the Lake Nakuru National Park after being found in possession of fish suspected to have been from Lake Nakuru.

This was according to Titus Mitau the Assistant Director of Lake Nakuru National Park.

“In total we arrested three people. One was arrested yesterday. The total number of fish that we confiscated was 450 kg packed in 18 crates. We also found 34 empty crates,” he said.

Assistant Director of Lake Nakuru National Park Titus Mitau inspecting confiscated fish on 27th February 2024.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

According to Mr Mitau, in the months of January and February the KWS have confiscated 1,359 kilograms of fish and 46 people have been arrested in line with illegal fishing.

Read: Troubled waters: Inside the vibrant illegal fish trade in Lake Nakuru

Four years after Lake Nakuru burst its banks and spilled over to the surrounding areas near the lake, the issue of fishing at Lake Nakuru has created conflict between locals and the KWS.

“We usually have them arraigned but in the end, they are given lenient sentences and they and up being repeat offenders which presents a huge challenge to us. To us this is a very serious offence but the courts do not see it the same way we do,” Mr Mitau lamented.

Watch: KWS officers arrest two men suspected of illegal fishing in Lake Nakuru

According to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI) the fish from Lake Nakuru has been found with high levels of nitrates and traces of other highly dangerous chemicals.

Even with this information the locals have still not stopped fishing in the lake.

In efforts to address this menace that is the conflict in and around the Lake, President William Ruto formed a multi-agency team in January this year, charged with the mandate of coming up with solutions to the problems.

The multi-agency team included officers from Kenya Fisheries Service, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Kenya Wildlife Service, National Environment Management Authority, and Water Resources Management Authority.

Their main task was to look at the issue revolving around the health risks that come with the consumption of the fish.

Speaking to the media on January 25, 2024, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed that indeed the fish in Lake Nakuru contains 32% of arsenic metal.

bretsanya@gmail.com

Bad Fish: KWS net over 1,000kgs of fish from Lake Nakuru

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Bret Sanya