This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
On Tuesday night, bulldozers descended on the kiosks at Lwang'ni beach in Kisumu, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The demolition was a result of an eviction notice issued by Kenya Railways, citing a short lease and temporary occupation license.
According to the notice, traders were given one month's notice to vacate the premises, paving the way for the revitalization and expansion of the Kisumu Port. The notice was signed by Philip Mainga, acting managing director of Kenya Railways.
However, the demolition has left many fish traders reeling, with their shops flattened and their livelihoods threatened. The traders, who were affected by the eviction, were those whose eateries were located on Akamba Line and Lwang'ni Beach, adjacent to the shores of Lake Victoria.
As the city of Kisumu struggles with overpriced fish, the demolition of Lwang'ni has raised concerns about the impact on the local economy. In a previous interview, Grace Ongowe, a fish vendor, said that the imported Chinese fish was not a match for the fresh fish sold at Lwang'ni.
The price difference between the imported Chinese fish and the locally sourced fish is stark. A ten kilogram carton of imported Chinese fish retails at Ksh.1,800, while a ten kilogram carton of locally sourced fish retails at Ksh.3,500.
