Outrage in Lake Victoria as Alleged Chinese-Linked Fish Cages Raise Pollution Concerns

Outrage has erupted over alleged Chinese-linked fish cages between Rusinga and Ngodhe islands on Lake Victoria after rotten fish were reportedly washed onto the shoreline of a hotel in Rusinga, raising concerns about pollution, waste management and the growing commercialisation of the lake.

In a post by Kelitu Kaseo on Facebook, she shared images of fish cages and dead fish washed onto the Rusinga shoreline.

She also said she had captured floating dead fish on the Mbita side of the lake in two separate live videos.

“These cages are in Rusinga island between Rusinga and Ngodhe islands. Frame 2 and 3 is dead rotten fish washed off to the lake shore of a hotel in rusinga I have also in my live videos twice showed floating dead fish on the mbita side,” Kaseo said.

The post then attracted strong reactions from Facebook users, with some questioning the presence of Chinese investors and the increasing number of fish cages on the lake.

Residents Question Alleged Chinese-Linked Fish Cages

For instance, Daniel Otieno raised concerns about the alleged involvement of Chinese investors and the growing occupation of lake space by fish cages.

“Enter the Chinese and our brothers Waarias,,,, lake tayari ina fanyiwa zoning. They’ll soon be telling levies to get access because cages will block free movements. Woe unto you if you’ve not booked a piece of the lake,” Otieno said.

Similarly, Agbonlahor Ogw Dobs linked the growing presence of Chinese investors to the expansion of fish cages around resorts and called for government intervention.

“How is fish cage and a pond stationed beside a resort for christ’s sake…cage zimejaa kwa lake hata ukiendesha boat usiku uko na wasiwasi you can hit one…the government should now control this things…hao Chinese warudi japan,” Dobs said.

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Dead Fish Spark Pollution Fears

Meanwhile, the reported dead fish have raised questions about how cage-farming operators handle waste and dead stock.

Bob Macoti alleged that some dead fish were being returned to the lake, saying, “Exactly…they just throw them back into the water…they’re polluting our lake.”

At the same time, Robert Omondi Oswago questioned how dead fish could escape from the cages and warned about possible disease transmission.

“That alone shows danger. How did the dead fish find their way out of the cages? If they died of disease, then the wild varieties are put at risk,” Oswago said.

Chinese Investment in Lake Victoria

The concerns come as commercial cage fish farming continues to expand on Kenya’s side of Lake Victoria, where Chinese investment in the sector is confirmed.

For example, Global Tilapia, a Chinese-invested company, operates a commercial fish farm at Nyachebe Beach in Homa Bay County.

A July 2026 report indicated that the company operates 72 HDPE cages and produces between 4,000 and 5,000 tonnes of tilapia annually.

However, available information does not establish that Chinese investors control thousands of fish cages across Lake Victoria.

Instead, different operators, including local farmers and commercial enterprises, participate in the lake’s growing cage-farming industry.

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Calls for Stronger Regulation

Against this backdrop, Kaseo called on existing fish farms to take responsibility for their waste and properly manage dead fish.

“For those fish farms already established take responsibility and ensure you manage your waste and dead fish,” she said.

She further called for authorities to identify suitable zones for new fish farms, introduce clear waste-management regulations and hold operators accountable.

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