The traditional practice of preserving fish through smoking in wood-fired mud ovens is causing air pollution among residents living along the shores of Lake Turkana in Turkana County of Kenya. Many locals have complained of poor eyesight, burning eyes, and dizziness, which are correlated with fish smoking but cannot stop.
Ms Jane Lemuya, a fish trader in Kalokol town, said that due to fishing being the main income source, households in the community have built mud ovens to preserve the fish. “Besides smoke, we don’t have a proper waste disposal system along the shores,” she said
The method of preservation using smoke in residential areas has been banned by the government since 2021 to improve sanitation and hygiene in the area yet the situation still persists.
The Department of Environment and the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) speaking to the media on this health challenge said they had established a designated site for processing fish to ensure consumers get quality and safe fish products. However, the practice of smoking and processing fish in residential areas continues to be widespread with only a few people using the designated sites for smoking and processing fish.
Mr Jacob Mutua, a county environment officer, commented;
“Kalokol town and its environs are displaying noticeable evidence of air pollution and improper waste disposal affecting the environment and aquatic ecosystem, which supports many livelihoods. We are advocating for the adoption of waste reduction strategies at household levels to keep residents safe from diseases. This is very important for attracting traders from as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo and attracting more investors along the fish value chain.”
Source : Nation.Africa
