Breaking News: At least 10 feared to have drowned in Makueni river
Naivasha fishermen clash with Chinese group over cray fish
What you need to know:
- Acting Nakuru County director of fisheries Mathew Ngila termed the reports as ‘misleading,’ saying the fishermen were only allowed two boats to collect harvested crayfish.
- The entry by the Chinese company has been a turn-around for many of the youths in the sprawling Karagita area with majority of them earning good returns.
Tension is building up among fishermen in Naivasha over the harvest of cray fish from the Lake by a Chinese group.
Anti-poaching chairman David Kilo claimed some Chinese nationals were involved in illegal fishing activities in Lake Naivasha.
“Their activities have caused a lot friction with the licensed fishermen who viewed the move as way of denying them their daily income,” he said in an interview with the Nation.
However, the fisheries department has denied reports that fishermen from China were carrying out fishing activities.
Acting Nakuru County director of fisheries Mathew Ngila termed the reports as ‘misleading,’ saying the fishermen were only allowed two boats to collect harvested crayfish.
Their presence has been occasioned by the entry of a Chinese based company that has been purchasing the fish species.
“There are no truths in the reports, since we conducted undercover investigations,” said Mr Ngila.
While confirming that two boats have been licensed to transport crayfish by one Chinese company, he said they were not used for fishing.
“Cray fishing remains an activity carried out by local fishermen,” he stated.
The entry by the Chinese company has been a turn-around for many of the youths in the sprawling Karagita area with majority of them earning good returns.
Initially, the Chinese based company had tabled a proposal to the Nakuru County for setting up a Sh900 million fish factory.
