Fishing has long been an economic activity for communities around Kenya's main fishing zones, growing in popularity in inland fishing areas.

Lake Nakuru, once primarily known for its scenic beauty and wildlife, has recently gained popularity due to the discovery of fish in its salty waters, attracting local and commercial fishermen.

However, the lake has come under scrutiny as fish experts have declared its fish unfit for human consumption due to the presence of metals and other harmful components.

The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) has been at the forefront of these findings, but Laban Omusundi, a good governance advocate, argues that the situation requires a deeper examination and re-evaluation.

A photo of Nakuru-based human rights activist Laban Omusundi.

Photo credit: Courtesy

“Policy should be designed to balance public health concerns with the economic needs of local communities. Access to Lake Nakuru for fishing should be regulated, with licenses issued to ensure sustainable practices without disrupting wildlife conservation efforts,” says Omusundi.

The advocate argues that this challenges existing policies, particularly the Wildlife Act, which restricts access to protected areas.

He raises a thought-provoking question- if mining were to take place in protected areas like Tsavo National Park, would we stop mining because of the human-wildlife conflict?

Omusundi, additionally, says that the most contentious issue, however, is the health of the fish and believes that the expert opinion that it is unfit for human consumption can be counteracted.

Mtaa Wangu, however, presses if, as a champion of good governance, he advocates for people to consume unsafe food.

Omusundi questions the basis of expert opinions on the safety of fish in Lake Nakuru, suggesting that these opinions could be influenced by political motives aimed at preserving elite access to the lake.

“We need an independent expert opinion to understand whether the claims about the fish being unfit for consumption are truly valid,” he asserts.

“If fish from Lake Naivasha is deemed safe for consumption, where are the metals in Lake Nakuru coming from, and why are they not found in Naivasha?”

Omusundi emphasizes the need to develop measures that ensure the fish is safe for human consumption.

"With current technology, we can extract the harmful metals from the lake, making the fish safe to eat," he says.

This, Omusundi says, not only addresses public health concerns but also creates employment opportunities and generates revenue for the county government, bringing direct benefits to local communities.

Additionally, the issue of young people allegedly being killed by officers from the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) while attempting to fish from the lake cannot be ignored, and Omusundi emphasizes the need for a clear policy to regulate access to the lake, as these individuals (KWS) are not being held accountable.

“Allegations suggest that some may be key beneficiaries of these illegal activities, therefore, by establishing proper regulations, such unbecoming behavior can be curbed, ensuring the community's safety while promoting the sustainable management of the lake's resources.”

When asked about the greater evil between public health and employment, Omusundi acknowledges that public health is the more pressing concern. However, he stresses that expert opinions should be thoroughly interrogated.

"Is the concern truly genuine? How can fish from Lake Nakuru be deemed unfit for human consumption, yet fish from a nearby lake, just a few kilometers away, is considered safe?" he questions. "What makes the fish from these two lakes so different, and why is one deemed safe while the other is not?"

Senate passes activist Laban Omusundi's petition into law restricting MCA nominations to local voters

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