Murkomen Warns Kenyans of Toxic Fish Transported From Lake Nakuru
- Camilla Owuor
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has cautioned Kenyans about the toxic fish being transported from Lake Nakuru.
During a press briefing on his Jukwaa la Usalama tour in Nakuru, the CS warned Kenyans to exercise great caution regarding the source of their fish.
He highlighted that certain dishonest traders are selling fish in areas such as Kisumu, claiming it to be fresh tilapia, even though it was transported from Lake Nakuru and is not safe for human consumption.
"The illegal fishing in Nakuru which is being supported by refrigirated lorries that come to carry that fish is a great concern to us," he said.
In tackling the issue, the CS stated that the security team is collaborating with the Kenya Wildlife Service to prevent the fish from being distributed nationwide.
"Our Securuty team in a Multi Agency approach working together with KWS must give a final blow in this illlegal fishing."
Lake Nakuru has long been recognized for its environmental importance and as a tourist destination.
Situated in Nakuru County in the Rift Valley, the lake has suffered significant pollution from unregulated industrial waste, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff from nearby communities.
Numerous studies and environmental reports have verified the existence of harmful substances in the lake, including heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic. These toxins build up in the lake's ecosystem, significantly impacting aquatic life, particularly fish.
The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and other organizations have repeatedly cautioned that fish from Lake Nakuru are not safe for human consumption because of the bioaccumulation of these hazardous chemicals.
Illegal fishing and sale of fish from the lake persist, despite public awareness efforts and fishing prohibitions, endangering unsuspecting consumers.
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