Kisumu legislator supports China fish import

Kisumu County Assembly member has opposed calls to ban the importation of tilapia fish from China.

Chemelil ward representative, Joseph Osano, says the importation is as a result of fish shortage in Lake Victoria.

Osano opposed a motion that was tabled by nominated MCA Pamela Odhiambo that called for total ban on the importation of fish.

He says the only way out to stop the importation is to breed more fish to bridge the deficit.

Speaking at the Assembly ground, Osano says Kenya and China governments had signed some agreement that is hinged on the importation of fish.

He says that the County Assembly should not impose the ban, and he called for the enactment of policies on over-fishing and use of illegal fishing gears.

Odhiambo had argued that importation of fish in Kisumu will impact negatively on fish trade and ill lead to unemployment among the fish traders.

News about importation of fish from china has elicited sharp reactions from the public, with many asking why the country is sourcing fish from such a distant nation.

Members of the aquaculture industry have called on the government to invest more in the industry, adding that the capital injection would see Kenya produce enough fish to meet local market demands.