This archive report was first published on 24 August 2019.
On August 24, 2019, a study by researchers from the University of Nairobi's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine shed light on the fish trade in Nyandarua County.
The study examined 19 fish kiosks in the county to assess the safety of fish from harvesting to consumption.
Interestingly, the findings showed that gender and age were not significant barriers to entry in the fish trade, with 70% of traders being male and 42% falling between the ages of 18 and 35.
However, the study noted that graduates and postgraduates were less likely to engage in the trade, preferring white-collar jobs instead.
The preferred fish species were catfish, common carp, tilapia, and trout, with catfish and tilapia sourced from within the county and common carp from a neighboring devolved unit.
This cross-county trade highlighted the need for synchronized policies among counties.
Most traders (57%) had one year of experience in the fish business, indicating a growing demand for fish in the area.
Traders sourced over 10kg of fish daily, with 86% using sacks and buckets for transportation, a method that is not recommended for small-scale traders.
Investing in cool boxes could improve the trade, as they are a more recommended method of transport.
Preservation methods were also a concern, with 71% of traders using racks to dry fish and 29% storing fish in freezers.
Those without freezers could only procure a day's consignment, forcing them to travel daily and increasing costs.
On the other hand, traders with freezers could purchase a week's consignment, making their business more efficient.
Most premises (70%) required cleaning, and disposal methods for fish waste were satisfactory, with internal organs fed to dogs and bones crushed and fed to poultry or incinerated.
Water sources included piped water, boreholes, and rivers, with 71% of respondents receiving adequate supply.
However, river water required purification, and traders were encouraged to use sawdust jikos for environmental conservation.
Some traders also extracted fish oil for sale, with one outlet selling it to schoolchildren at Sh15 per spoonful.
The study found bacteria in most fish samples from farms without freezers, outlets that hung fish, and those that transported fish in sacks.
It recommended separating duties, with the cashier being a different person from the one handling fish.
