The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The Senate has summoned Cabinet Secretary for Blue Economy and Fisheries Hassan Joho to explain his decision to allow fishing activities to resume in Lake Nakuru despite warnings that the fish may pose serious health risks to consumers.
The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations wants Joho to clarify the scientific evidence and policy considerations behind his directive, which has reignited controversy over illegal fishing in Lake Nakuru National Park.
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The committee, chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, expressed concern that Joho’s assurances contradict findings from government agencies that have consistently warned against harvesting and consuming fish from the lake.
Dullo said the CS must appear before the committee to explain his position. Joho is expected to attend a hearing on November 26.
The directive has sparked concerns about public health, environmental conservation and the enforcement of fishing regulations within the protected area.
The controversy began last month when Joho, speaking during an empowerment event in Nakuru, instructed police officers not to arrest fishermen operating in the lake. He announced that he had authorised fishing activities to resume and that licences had been issued.
Joho further warned police against interfering with fishermen, insisting that he was the Cabinet Secretary responsible for fisheries and had the authority to permit the activity.
However, his position differs sharply from that of government agencies, which maintain that fishing in the protected lake is prohibited and that fish harvested from its waters may contain harmful contaminants.
Dullo said the committee continued to rely on expert findings indicating that fish from Lake Nakuru was unsafe for human consumption. She also cautioned government officials against making statements that could put the public’s health at risk.
The Kenya Fisheries Service recently informed the Senate committee that Lake Nakuru is not classified as a fishing ground and that the agency does not issue fishing licences for activities in the lake.
An April 2026 assessment conducted by the agency found traces of lead and parasites in sampled fish. Two of the samples contained lead levels above the recommended safety limits, with concentrations reaching 0.74 milligrams per kilogram.
The agency warned that prolonged exposure to lead could cause neurological problems, interfere with children’s brain development and damage the kidneys, cardiovascular system and reproductive health.
In a separate 2022 assessment, the Kenya Wildlife Service detected elevated levels of endosulfan in sampled Nile tilapia and identified possible health risks linked to the presence of heptachlor epoxide.
The Senate had previously examined the matter following a petition by Peter Mbae and Tom Mboya, who raised concerns about an alleged illegal fishing network operating in the lake and supplying contaminated fish to unsuspecting consumers.
The petitioners claimed that fish harvested from Lake Nakuru was being falsely marketed as fresh tilapia from Lake Victoria before being distributed to major markets, including Nairobi and Kisumu.
Mbae told senators that ordinary fishermen were being arrested by Kenya Wildlife Service officers for illegal fishing, while allegedly influential individuals continued harvesting fish from the lake.
Acting Kenya Fisheries Service Director General Daisy Muriuki also maintained that fishing in Lake Nakuru National Park was prohibited. She explained that the management of activities and security within the park falls under the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The Senate committee’s decision to summon Joho highlights growing concern over conflicting government positions on fishing activities in Lake Nakuru, particularly given the potential risks to public health and the conservation of the protected ecosystem.
