Consumers of fish in Nakuru have been urged to be wary of the poisonous fish that is illegally harvested from Lake Nakuru.

This follows the increased illegal fishing activities at the lake despite the government's advisory against the consumption of the fish.

Authorities have raised concerns over the availability of the poisonous fish in the markets in Nakuru county and beyond even as it intensified operations to prevent the fishing in the lake.

Read: Explainer: All you need to know about the illegal fishing in Lake Nakuru and whether the fish is safe to eat

Nakuru County Chief Officer Livestock Fisheries and Veterinary Services Dr Michael Kiplangat Cheruiyot said the fish from the lake is mainly consumed by residents from Nakuru East, Nakuru West, Bahati and Njoro.

Dr Michael Kiplagat Chief Officer Livestock and fisheries in Nakuru County during an interview with the media.

Photo credit: JOSEPH OPENDA/MTAA WANGU

The Fish finds its way to other parts of the country through Naivasha where the fish from Lake Nakuru is mixed by the fish from Lake Naivasha.

“Once the fish is harvested from Lake Nakuru part of it is ferried to Naivasha landing beaches where it is mixed with other good fish from Lake Naivasha and it is transported to Nairobi’s Gikomba Market where it is sold to unsuspecting members of the public,” said Dr Kiplangat.

The official however advised the residents to be vigilant of the features which differentiate the poisonous fish from the healthy ones.

From the physical aspect, the fish from Nakuru is said to be darker in colour compared to others and rot within a short period of time.

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

He further indicated that all healthy fish must have a movement permit mark.

“We normally give a movement permit for the fish being transported from the source to the market. Those fish without the permit are considered illegal and could be from Lake Nakuru.”

According to Dr Kiplangat, the research found that the fish contains high levels of chemicals including pesticides and heavy metals which are linked to cancer.

“The results from four different laboratories indicate that the fish has got high toxicity consisting of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals which are very harmful,” said Dr Kiplangat.

The official spoke amidst concern over the rising cases of fishing activities in the lake with a high number of illegal fishermen being arrested.

Central Rift Kenya Wildlife Services Senior Assistant Director Mr Joseph Dadacha indicated that a team formed by the Cabinet Minister for Mining and Blue Economy has arrested over 50 people carrying out illegal fishing at the lake.

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

In the last two weeks alone, at least seven people have been arrested with 600 kilograms of fish.

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Lake Nakuru fish finds its way to Gikomba market, County official reveals

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Joseph Openda