Governor Jack Ranguma has petitioned the national government to impose a 100 percent ban on Chinese fish imports.
In a press statement on Sunday, Ranguma said that there is no logical rationale for allowing importation of fish- an act that is already distorting the local fish market and increasing unemployment, poverty and inequality in the economies of counties like Kisumu that have traditionally depended on the fish industry.
“Kisumu being a key player in the fisheries sub sector, my government will initiate consultations with relevant local and national players in the fisheries sub sector to discuss the matter and to put in place a framework for protection of the local fisher folk,” he said.
Meanwhile, due to fears that the imported fish may not be fit for consumption, Ranguma has instructed the county government’s Department of Health to test the fish to determine its suitability for human consumption.
He said the county government has continued to support the local fishing industry through improvement of infrastructure that supports the fisheries sub sector.
“We have opened up and graveling of hitherto dilapidated rural roads linking the beaches to market places; provision of electricity supply and lighting of local beaches and fish market places; provision of cold storage cooler boxes to the beaches; establishment and improvement of well-equipped and staffed health facilities at or near the beaches; flood mitigation along the fish landing beaches; and strengthening of cooperative movement amongst the fisher folk,” he said.
He further announced that he is currently engaging the East Africa Community’s Lake Basin Commission with a view to setting up a fish auction in Kisumu to improve prices and returns to fishermen.