The importation of fish from China which has now flooded the market in Kisumu has continued to elicit lots of reactions from fish traders in Kisumu.
Majority of traders at the Fresh Fish market in Kisumu now say the fish which is being supplied by East African Sea Food Limited has affected the price of local fish because it’s cheap.
Bernard Omondi Odhuong’o, the Vice Chairman of Fresh Fish Market at the Kisumu Buspark said importing fish from China will kill Lake Victoria which is relied on by thousands of people.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu on Thursday, Odhuong’o said the government should instead improve the farming of fish through ponds instead of importing fish from China.
He said as traders at the Fresh Fish Market, they have unanimously agreed to ban fish from China adding that no trader will be allowed to sell it there.
“It is a resolution we have made that no trader will be allowed to purchase fish from the suppliers who source for fish from China,” he said.
Nominated MCA Pamela Odhiambo who visited the fresh fish market and had a meeting with the traders said as leaders they have a fear the national government wants to kill the fish industry just like sugar and cotton collapsed in Western Kenya.
She said the counties of Migori, Kisumu, Siaya and Homabay must now come up with strong policies to help protect the lake and the livelihoods that depend on the fish from the lake.