The Nakuru County Government has banned Chinese fishermen from undertaking their activities in Lake Naivasha.
The move came as concerns were raised over rapidly decreasing number of fish in the lake due to over-fishing and use of undersized nets.
The county termed the fishermen as a major threat while declaring the ban.
They explained that while the previous county government had licensed foreign investors to harvest crayfish, they had exhausted them and were now targeting other species.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui warned that they would not allow foreigners to destroy the county's natural resources any longer.
He questioned how they had been licensed to fish in the first place while many youth in the county remained unemployed.
“No Kenyan can be licensed to fish in China, and we shall not also allow these foreigners to continue fishing in Lake Naivasha, as has been the norm," Kinyanjui announced.
Nakuru County Assembly Majority leader Peter Pallang’a explained that the undersized nets would sweep everything including fingerlings, thereby affecting fish production.
Lakeview MCA Karanja Mburu backed the move asserting that foreigners derived greater benefit from the lake than the locals.
The leaders spoke at an event marking World Environment Day at Kamere Beach.
Kinyanjui disclosed that funds had been set aside to rehabilitate the landing beach which employs several people.
[caption caption="Kenyan fishermen at Lake Naivasha"]
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