By Faridat Salifu
Kenya’s Senate is reviewing a petition calling for tighter regulation of commercial cage fish farming in Lake Victoria amid concerns over navigation, water quality, access to fishing grounds and the potential impact on the lake’s wild fish stocks.
The petition has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, which is expected to examine the concerns and recommend measures on the establishment of new fish cages and the relocation of existing ones.
The petition is backed by investors in beach hotels, resorts and ecotourism businesses operating around Lake Victoria, particularly in areas where fish cages have expanded close to recreational and hospitality facilities.
According to the petition, commercial cages have been established close to hotels and resorts around Mbita, Mfangano Island, Rusinga Island, Sindo, Gingo and Ngodhe Island, restricting access to parts of the lake used for recreational activities.
The petitioners argue that the expansion has raised concerns over riparian access and the use of the lake by other groups, including tourism operators, boat users and fishing communities.
Kenya’s commercial cage fish farming sector has expanded rapidly in recent years. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that production increased from 13,700 metric tonnes in 2021 to 28,100 metric tonnes in 2025, with nearly 7,000 cages accounting for the output.
The petitioners have also raised concerns about safety on the lake, alleging that the increasing number of cages has contributed to boat accidents, particularly at night, when navigating around cage installations can become more difficult.
They further claim that waste generated by fish farming operations has contributed to water contamination and are calling for stronger monitoring of environmental impacts associated with cage aquaculture.
Another major concern raised in the petition is the potential effect of cage farming on Lake Victoria’s natural fish breeding grounds. The petitioners argue that the expansion of cages has contributed to declining stocks of wild tilapia and Nile perch, species that support the livelihoods of many small-scale fishermen.
However, the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), an Eastern African fisheries management body, has previously acknowledged the potential for increased fish production in the region while stressing that expansion must be carried out sustainably.
“The bottom line is that the ongoing expansion of cage fish-farming practices requires adequate policy guidance and regulations,” LVFO said.
The petition is therefore seeking a review of Kenya’s approval procedures and regulatory requirements for commercial fish cages on Lake Victoria, including an assessment of the compliance of companies already operating in the lake.
It is also calling for a review of the legal and regulatory framework governing licensing, environmental impact assessments, community social responsibility and the creation of designated industrial aquaculture zones.
The petitioners want public participation and wider stakeholder engagement to form part of the process, particularly involving beach management units and other communities and groups that depend on the lake.
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, chaired by Senator David Wakoli, has 60 days from August 5 to submit its findings and recommendations to the Senate.
The review comes as Kenya’s rapidly expanding aquaculture sector faces the challenge of balancing increased fish production and economic opportunities with the protection of Lake Victoria’s ecosystems and the interests of communities and other users of the lake.
Source: Mongabay
