By Habil Onyango
Mzee Felix Ajwang’, a resident of Kosodo Beach in Suba South Sub-County, Homa Bay County, has been part of the fishing industry since childhood.
The 70-year-old retired teacher reminisces about a time when fishing in Lake Victoria was a lucrative business, yielding significant catches and profits.
In those days, his catches predominantly consisted of black tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Nile perch.
However, over time, the population of the black tilapia—a fish known for its delicious taste and nutritional value—began to dwindle and eventually became extinct in the lake.
Ajwang’ has reason to be optimistic now due to a restocking initiative led by Victory Farms, a company engaged in fish caging in Lake Victoria.
For the past several years, Victory Farms has been working to reintroduce the extinct species in the Roo catchment area, where they operate a fish caging facility, as well as in other parts of Lake Victoria.
This programme involves releasing thousands of fingerlings, aiming for a significant recovery of fish populations in the lake.
According to Mike Ouya, a Senior Partnership and Development Manager at Victory Farms, they recently introduced 200,000 fingerlings of the black tilapia species at Kosodo Beach.
He noted that this initiative marks the third community conservation area established in collaboration with the Beach Management Unit (BMU).
“We are pleased to announce the launch of our third community conservation area in partnership with the Kosodo BMU,” Ouya said.
“Victory Farms has a responsibility to protect the environment where we work in the lake, and as part of that responsibility, we have introduced 200,000 pieces of the native black tilapia species, locally referred to as ‘rech makwar,’ in collaboration with the Kosodo BMU.” he noted.
The community conservation area is designed to protect a section of the lakeshore that serves as fish breeding grounds, ensuring there is no overfishing, illegal fishing, or the use of harmful chemicals.
It also promotes the return of the species that nearly vanished by the 1960s.
Ouya revealed that the project is conducted in partnership with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), where they have successfully propagated fingerlings of the species.
“We are excited to report that, along with KMFRI, we have been able to return the black tilapia to its rightful place in Lake Victoria,” he emphasised.
“In the coming years, we hope that the species—deemed even more delicious than the tilapia commonly consumed—will provide nutrition to the community and other Kenyans.”
The extinction of this species has been attributed to competition with the introduced Nile perch, environmental degradation, Nile perch predation, and habitat loss.
Additionally, overfishing and illegal fishing practices—such as using illegal nets and targeting immature fish—have destroyed breeding habitats and exceeded the natural replenishment rates of the lake and rivers.
These activities have led to smaller fish sizes, increased mortality rates, and the potential collapse of ecosystems like Lake Victoria.
However, according to Kosodo BMU Chairman Naphatally Otieno Kibuogi, measures have been implemented to ensure the conservation area is protected.
He stated that they have agreed to provide security around the clock to prevent other fishermen from encroaching on the site.
“We want to thank Victory Farms for reintroducing the tilapia species that we only heard about in our youth at Lake Victoria, especially along our beach,” he said.
“As the BMU, we have established rules and regulations to govern operations along the beach, and this area has been reserved as a breeding site for the fish, with no fishermen allowed to access it.”
Suba Central Fisheries Officer Charles Odhiambo urged the community to work together to provide security for the restricted breeding site. He noted that the species had become extinct and expressed satisfaction with the restocking initiative, hoping for breeding every three months.
“You must ensure that the region is protected day and night by providing security to deter encroachers,” he advised.
The dwindling fish population in Lake Victoria has forced many fishermen to turn to ponds and cage fishing. Odhiambo commended the initiative taken by Victory Farms to restock the lake.
Why the Project?
According to David Otieno, the Farms Community Relations Coordinator, evidence collected from the Roo Conservation area shows that the project has the potential to increase fish catches in nearly all the Beach Management Units (BMUs) they are working with, provided it is well managed.
“In regions where we have initiated the programme, there have been reports of increased fish catches, indicating that the programme is effective. This is why we are encouraged and continue to invest significantly while seeking partnerships to extend it to other BMUs,” he stated.
Otieno explained that in alignment with their mission to support local livelihoods, they collaborate with BMUs to provide fingerlings to small-scale farmers in Homa Bay, aiming to enhance their production. This year, in partnership with the County Government, they have already distributed 2.5 million fingerlings at a cost of KSh 2.5 million to pond fish farmers.
Additionally, the officer mentioned that they aim to boost food security. With the decline in fish populations, the restocking programme helps replenish the lake’s resources, providing an affordable and high-quality protein source for the region’s growing population.
Furthermore, Otieno revealed that this effort is part of a broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and a sustainable strategy to protect the long-term health of Lake Victoria.
