From Lake Turkana to Nairobi: The Struggle for Fish Availability and Market Access

A Lifeline Under Threat

The Lake Turkana region, with its vast waters and vibrant fishing communities, has long been a lifeline for fish traders in East Africa. For these traders, such as Judy, a Nairobi-based businesswoman, fish is not just a product; it's the heart of their livelihood. Judy’s trade connects the shimmering waters of Lake Turkana to the bustling stalls of Nairobi’s Gikomba Market, feeding families and sustaining economies along the way.

But in recent years, this lifeline has frayed. Fish has become scarce, market access has grown tenuous, and livelihoods hang in the balance. This is Judy’s story, but it is also the story of a broader crisis facing fisherfolk and traders across the region.

A Trader’s Struggle

At the beginning of the year 2024, Judy embarked on her usual journey to Lake Turkana. Armed with a rented 3-tonne truck and high hopes, she aimed to fill it with fresh fish for the Gikomba market. However, reality struck hard. After waiting for three weeks - an agonizingly long period for any trader - she managed to secure only one tonne of fish from an expected minimum of 3 tonnes. The financial blow was staggering: not only had she paid for the truck rental and operational costs, but she also lost valuable time and income.

The 3-tonne truck Judy rented for her trip to Lake Turkana, which remained under-utilised due to the scarcity of fish - highlighting the challenges faced by traders in the region.

Judy’s struggle is not an isolated case. Traders from Turkana, Nairobi, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other neighboring regions face similar challenges. When traders can’t access enough fish, markets experience shortages, driving up prices and limiting availability for consumers. The question is, why is this happening?

These issues create a vicious cycle of scarcity, loss, and reduced market access, leaving traders and consumers at a loss.

Unpacking the Problem: Why Is Fish Unavailable?

A deeper look reveals a confluence of challenges that impact fish availability and market access:

1. Lack of Cold Storage and Drying EquipmentWithout adequate cold storage and drying equipment, and with instances where these facilities are submerged due to lake expansion and climate change, fish harvested in Lake Turkana quickly spoils. This leads to significant post-harvest losses, making it nearly impossible for traders to secure enough fish to meet market demand.

2. Poor Equipment MaintenanceEven where cold storage facilities or drying equipment exist, they are often poorly maintained. This reduces their efficiency and further exacerbates the losses.

3. Inefficient Fish Handling PracticesMany fisherfolk lack proper training on appropriate fish handling practices. As a result, fish quality diminishes before it even reaches traders like Judy.

4. Inadequate fish stock in Kerio due to the lake’s expansion.

5. Pricing mismatch between traders' purchasing power and the price expectations of local fisherfolk.

6. Limited knowledge among fishermen, who often prefer transporting fish to Lodwar, 60 kilometers away where they can sell it for just 50 shillings more, without fully considering transportation costs and the risk of spoilage.

7. Seasonal fluctuations in fish availability, further limiting supply at certain times of the year.

Broader Implications

The effects of fish unavailability ripple far beyond Judy’s truck.  Fishing communities around Lake Turkana struggle to sustain their livelihoods. This situation also weakens cross-border trade, impacting neighboring countries like Uganda and the DRC, which rely on fish imports for their local markets.

The stakes are high, not just for individual traders but for entire economies that depend on this vital supply chain.

Building a Resilient Future

To break this cycle, a range of targeted interventions is required:

1. Support Last-Mile Initiatives for Ice Blocks/FlakesEstablishing ice flake plants near fishing communities can transform the way fish is preserved. These plants would generate jobs for locals, who could sell ice flakes to fisherfolk and Beach Management Units (BMUs). Equipped with ice in cool boxes, fisherfolk could embark on longer trips while keeping their catch fresh. Additionally, ice flakes are essential for pre-cooling fish before storage in cold rooms, ensuring quality preservation.

2. Invest in Cold Storage and Processing InfrastructureGovernments, development partners, and private sector players need to collaborate to create and maintain sustainable cold storage systems. These facilities would significantly reduce post-harvest losses and improve market availability.

3. Training and Awareness ProgramsEducating fisherfolk and traders on best practices for fish handling and preservation, along with training in entrepreneurship and financial literacy  can significantly improve fish quality, availability and overall market sustainability.

4. Policy AdvocacyAdvocating for policies that support fish trade, infrastructure development, and subsidies for equipment can further empower fishing communities and traders.

5. Market linkages and branding of Lake Turkana FishShould traders focus on the right acquisition strategy? Consider the case where fisherfolk travel up to 60 km from their base just to sell fish for 50 shillings more. Perhaps traders could explore the use of local agents, but is the risk too high when paying these agents to buy fish on their behalf, compared to traders waiting for the fish themselves, which could lead to wasted resources?

A Call to Action

Judy’s story underscores the urgent need to address the challenges of fish unavailability and market access in the Lake Turkana region. By investing in solutions like ice flake plants, cold storage, and training programs, stakeholders can create a more sustainable future for the fish trade.

The stakes are clear: ensuring fish preservation is not just about markets; it’s about livelihoods, food security, and the interconnected economies of the region. It’s time to act.