Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya on Wednesday declared fish from Lake Nakuru unfit for human consumption.
Speaking in Embu County, the CS explained that the fish contained 32 per cent arsenic metal. Arsenic is a metal found in nature. It's toxic and historically used as a poison and prolonged consumption would lead in death. It has industrial applications but is dangerous due to harmful consequences and side effects.
CS Mvurya remarked that the government has reached this conclusion following a test conducted on the fish from the lake.
Following the discovery, the CS has formed a multi-agency team to look into the matter. The team will include the Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy, the Environment Department and other government agencies.
Additionally, the CS remarked that during a Cabinet meeting held in Sagana, he raised the issue informing the ministers that the fish was affecting Kenyans' lives.
"In the last Cabinet that we went in Sagana, I made a presentation to confirm that the fish in Lake Nakuru is not fit for human consumption," he stated.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the metal is linked to skin lesions, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer of the skin and internal organs.
Notably, this is not the fist time the government has warned against the fish from Lake Nakuru.
In 2021, research carried out by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMRI) discovered that the fish contained dangerous chemicals. This led to the Ministry of Agriculture issuing a warning to Kenyans.
The Ministry called upon the County government of Nakuru to ban fishing in the lake.
Despite the numerous warnings from the government and researchers, fish from the lake still finds its way to markets across the country.
In 2018, former President Uhuru Kenyatta banned fish imported from China as a way to protect local fish traders.
