Water Hyacinth Crisis Wreaks Havoc on Lake Victoria, Devastating Local Fishing Economy

Ogiro Fannuel, a local fisherman at Luanda Konyango beach, stood on the shores of Lake Victoria, his weathered hands carefully spreading out his fishing nets. As he worked, diligently untangling knots, he spoke to himself with a heavy heart.

“Once, these waters were abundant with life, filled with fish that sustained our families. Now, the relentless invasion of hyacinth has choked our beloved lake, leaving us struggling to survive,” Ogiro whispered.

This came after a 16-hour stint on the lake without a successful catch. The long, fruitless hours were evident in his eyes, as he struggled to keep them open.

His voice trembled with a mix of sorrow and frustration as he remembered times of bountiful catches and prosperity. Now, the once vibrant lake reflected the desolation in his heart, making him wonder about the remaining hope for him and his fellow fishermen.

The Plight of Lake Victoria’s Fishermen

For over a century, the community around Lake Victoria has depended on its waters not only for domestic use but also for economic purposes. However, the recent encroachment by the stubborn water hyacinth has turned into a menace, robbing them of their primary income source and polluting the lake waters.

The Hyacinth Menace: A Lake Under Siege

The water hyacinth, plaguing the freshwater lake, has become one of the biggest nightmares the lake has faced in recent years. It is a free-floating perennial aquatic plant. Lake Victoria, also known as “Nam Lolwe” in the local Luo dialect, spans three countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. In Kenya, four Luo counties lie along the shores of Lake Victoria, making their inhabitants fishermen since ancient times.

Lake Victoria is one of the most important freshwater resources, accounting for nearly half of Kenya’s total fish production. At Luanda Konyango Beach in North Kadem Ward-Nyatike Sub County of Migori County, the effects of hyacinth have elicited heartrending stories of economic decline in the livelihoods of the local fishing community.

Economic Impact and Community Struggle

Fishing, the major activity at the small beach of Luanda Konyango, has been severely impacted by the ever-spreading hyacinth menace that reproduces rapidly and has already consumed three-quarters of the beach.

The once bustling market no longer attracts customers and traders seeking Nile perch, Tilapia, Mudfish, and sardines, commonly referred to as Omena. The hyacinth has blocked access to the beach and the main lake, rendering the beach water unusable for both human and animal consumption due to high pollution levels.

The presence of water hyacinth increases the incidence of diseases, as it provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects. This leads to more cases of skin rashes, coughs, malaria, encephalitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and bilharzia/schistosomiasis. Water hyacinth also interferes with water treatment, irrigation, and water supply.

Efforts to Combat the Green Invader

Ogiro noted that the hyacinth has blocked access to the landing site, forcing fishermen to waste hours navigating a 300-meter stretch to access the lake. On windy days, the strong airstream and waves push their boats into the dense vegetation of hyacinth and papyrus weeds, posing drowning risks.

This also exposes them to the danger of being attacked by the merciless water creatures hiding beneath the dense plant cover. The hyacinth effect has destroyed fishing equipment, drastically reduced fish catches, and provided habitats for dangerous water animals and reptiles like crocodiles and poisonous snakes.

“Sometimes we get stuck in the hyacinth for hours due to poor visibility from the landing site and the main lake,” said Ogiro.

He explained that boat engine propellers damaged in the hyacinth-infested waters have led to unnecessary expenses, cutting into their hard-earned savings. The reduction in landing sites due to water hyacinth has led to beach congestion, making it unsafe for fishermen to land at the few operational beaches.

The waters that the surrounding community largely depends on have been polluted, and the locals no longer have clean water for both human and animal consumption.

Alice Adhiambo, a fishmonger at Luanda Konyango Beach, laments that in the last five years, fish catches have been diminishing due to the water hyacinth. “We used to catch very big fish five years ago when the beach was clear of weeds, but the increasing hyacinth has worsened the situation in terms of fishing,” rued Adhiambo.

According to her, the once vibrant market beach no longer attracts customers and traders who complain that the catch is too small, making it economically unviable to travel 50 kilometers from Migori town.