Eliminating the Water Hyacinth Weed
For decades, Kamwala Beach in Homa Bay County was a beehive of activity on which most of the fisher folk from Kendu Bay depended for a living. But not anymore.
The beach, said to be serve at least three villages in e Kamwala Sub-location, is no longer usable, thanks to the invasion of the water hyacinth, which has re-emerged in Lake Victoria.
Consequently, most residents have abandoned fishing and taken to farming, while those still keen on fishing have to sail far into the lake to get a catch.
The beach is a pale shadow of its former self, with its shoreline, which has been invaded by the weed and algae, having been turned into pastureland by the villagers.
A waiting bay, constructed by fishermen to serve as the trading point, now lies idle, with access to it obstructed by the weed.
Alan Sheffield