Challenges Facing the Fishing Industry in Homalime and Kendu Bay Zones of Lake Victoria in Homabay County, Kenya

Abstract

Fishing has been an important source of livelihood for many Kenyans for many years. It is one of the oldest occupations of mankind. In Kenya, both gender have been involved in this industry while performing different roles such as fish production by the male and fish processing and marketing by the female. The roles ultimately complemented each other.  The objective of the study was to establish the challenges the fisher folk have faced in the fishing industry in reference to Homalime landing bay and Kendu Bay County of Kenya. The study focused on the factors that have hindered the fishers from executing their roles as expected. Sampling was conducted in Homalime “Doho Beach” and at “Kotieno” in Kendu Bay. This took place between May 2013 and the month of August 2013.  Data was obtained using a cross-sectional survey research design, quantitative and descriptive research designs. Information was collected through interviews using open-ended questions and questionnaire guides. The population of the study consisted of 1,804 registered fisher folk in Homalime and Kendu Bay by the year 2013.  A number of fisher folk never registered because of various reasons although they participated fully. 586 of the fisher folk were registered in Kendu Bay while 498 were from Homalime. The fishers in both  bays perceived that their challenges in the fishing industry were due to the decline of the Kenyan economy. The fisher folk could not be sustained by the income they realised from fishing activities since the daily expenses increased.  Fish prices shot up lowering protein consumption among the fishing communities hence vulnerability to all kinds of diseases including diarrhea, amoeba, typhoid, cholera, malaria and HIV/AIDS.  Results indicated the challenges in groups of major factors and individual factors that have hindered equitable economic growth of the fishing industry in the regions discussed in the study.

Keywords: Challenges, Fisheries, Gender, Landing bays