Turkana Fishermen Report Exploitation by Foreign Traders to Senate Committee
Kalokol, Turkana County – September 28, 2023
Fishermen in Turkana County have raised concerns over exploitation by foreign traders, highlighting challenges that continue to hinder their livelihoods from Lake Turkana.
Over 4,000 local fishermen accused foreigners, mainly from Uganda and Congo, of engaging in illegal fishing practices, including catching underage fish and purchasing fish at extremely low prices.
Speaking to the Senate Agriculture Committee, the fishermen expressed frustration over a liberalized market system that they say has disadvantaged local traders.
When the government liberalized the market, it brought a free market that is now hurting us, said Sammy Emuria, a representative of the fishermen.
The fishermen also lamented that a fish storage and processing plant, funded by the Norwegian government, has remained unused since 1991 due to diplomatic disagreements.
Veteran fisherman Thomas Emoja, who has fished Lake Turkana for 25 years, highlighted the lack of adequate fishing gear as a major challenge. He noted that wooden boats deteriorate quickly, and the small nets supplied by the county government encourage the harvesting of undersized fish.
If the county government could assist us with fibre boats and bigger fishing nets, we could become food self-reliant, Emoja said. He added that foreign traders pay as low as Sh250 per kilogram, which they later sell for Sh800–Sh900 per kilogram.
The fishermen urged the national and county governments to revive the fish processing plant in Kalokol to boost local development and strengthen the fishing industry.
Chairing the committee, Senator James Murango (Kirinyaga) promised to advocate for more resources to revive the fish factory and acquire modern fishing equipment. He emphasized the need to implement policies that regulate fishing in northern Lake Turkana.
Turkana County has the potential to feed this country not only through fish but also other agricultural produce. We will do everything possible to ensure this fish processing plant is revived, Murango said.
The fishermen underscored the role of fish farming in providing food security, noting that it has helped reduce famine in the region. The committee’s visit included senators Enock Wambua (Kitui), Alex Mudigi (Embu), Dan Maanzo (Makueni), Wakoli Wafula (Bungoma), and Beth Syengo (nominated).