The fishing community in Lake Victoria is a worried lot following the reappearance of water hyacinth in the water body.
The worst affected county is Homabay as the other four lake counties including Kisumu, Siaya and Migori expecting the weed to cover their waters soon.
The fishermen say that they are now rendered jobless as their boats cannot navigate across the plants.
“Our engines get chocked by the fibres from the plant. We therefore not only damage the machines but also risk our lives by staying in the lake for long,” said a fisherman in Homabay pier.
According to the Homabay beach management chairperson Edward Oremo, over 1200 fishermen are now without any means of getting a daily cent.
“Homabay County has an average of 500 fishermen in over 30 beaches spread across the county. These men may soon end up in poverty if the weed is not gotten rid of soon," said Oremo.
The chairman asked for the collaboration between the counties that cover the lake to work together to eliminate the hyacinth.
Oremo said that this would create job opportunities to those who will be removing the plant.
“Biological methods have been tried to weed out the plant for two decades now but it has not been a success. Let the government try a mechanical means as it would engage the youths in job creation," said Oremo.
The appearance of the water hyacinth in Lake Victoria has also resulted to an increase in fish prices by 40 per cent.