By Reporter
A Senate committee has moved to investigate unregulated commercial fish cages in Lake Victoria, in Homa Bay County.
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, chaired by Senator David Wakoli (Bungoma), visited Homa Bay County last Friday to investigate concerns surrounding the establishment and operation of commercial fish cages in Lake Victoria.
This followed a petition presented to the Senate by Senator Moses Otieno Kajwang’ (Homa Bay).
The petition, presented on August 5, 2026, was submitted by citizens and investors in the tourism and hospitality sector, including beach hotels, resorts and ecotourism operators in areas around Mbita, Mfangano Island, Rusinga Island, Sindo, Gingo and Ngodhe Island.
The petitioners raised concerns over what they described as the unregulated establishment of commercial fish cages and their effects on the lake ecosystem, tourism, public health, fishing activities and navigation.
The Speaker committed the petition to the Committee for consideration and directed that its report be tabled within 60 days.
The petitioners have raised concern that the placement of commercial cages, particularly near beachfront hotels and resorts, is affecting tourism, fishing and other activities dependent on Lake Victoria.
They have cited water contamination from organic waste generated by the cages, obstruction of riparian access and traditional fishing grounds, increased risks of boat accidents, interference with fish breeding grounds and restrictions on recreational activities such as boat rides, swimming, sport fishing and lake cruises.
The petitioners have also raised concerns over the effects of fish cages on the cleanliness and appearance of the lake, including foul odours and poor water circulation in some bays, while noting that communities living around the lake rely on its waters for domestic use.
The Committee examined the approval and regulatory processes governing commercial fish cages, including compliance with licensing, environmental and public participation requirements.
The Committee also assessed concerns over the siting of cages along public beaches, water transport routes and in front of hotels and resorts, with the petitioners calling for the removal or relocation of installations that obstruct public access or interfere with other legitimate uses of the lake.
The petitioners have called for a review of the existing zoning framework to establish designated aquaculture areas and prevent conflicts between cage farmers, fishermen, tourism operators, transporters and other lake users.
They have also called on the Senate to establish why some fish cage and pond operators have allegedly failed to put in place appropriate waste-management measures, including treatment of wastewater and proper disposal of dead fish.
The Committee has engaged Homa Bay County officials, fisheries stakeholders, cage farmers, fishermen, tourism operators and other lake users as it considers the concerns raised in the petition.
The Committee will use the findings from the visit and submissions from stakeholders to inform its report to the Senate and make recommendations on the regulation, zoning, environmental management and sustainable development of commercial fish cage farming in Lake Victoria.
