Waiguru moves to increase fish production to fight chronic illnesses, boost nutrition

Kirinyaga county government has intensified the fight against lifestyle diseases by encouraging the production and consumption of fish.

Governor Anne Waiguru said the county is ranked among regions with the highest prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, attributed to consumption of starch and red meat.

Waiguru said fish consumption in the county is gaining popularity as residents discover their numerous benefits.

Waiguru who spoke while issuing 101 fish pond liners to farmers in Mwea West said the county is spending a large amount of its drug supplies budget in the purchase of medication for lifestyle diseases.

“We are not only encouraging our people to engage in fish farming as a way of creating alternative livelihoods but also to increase consumption so as to improve nutritional status in the county,” Waiguru said.

The county, she said, has plans to increase its fish production from the current 71.3 tons to 371 tons in 2027.

“We have 505 liners set for distribution across the county with each liner going to one household. Afterwards, we’ll issue each of the households with 1,000 fingerlings and fish feeds for the first six months,” the governor added.

Waiguru said the county has also put up a fish aggregation centre at Kiaga where farmers can sell their fish and carry out preliminary processing and cold storage for further marketing.

Sagana Industrial City will also provide an avenue for farmers to sell their fish for processing to earn an increased income.

During the event, Waiguru also distributed water pipes and fittings for the Kangai Domestic Water project which will serve 7,500 users.

“The pipes and fittings will enhance the distribution of water from KICOWASCO Bulk Water Supply. It will serve Kangai and Kathiga Locations that include Mbeti, Karikoini, Kombu-ini and Mathigaini Sub-locations,” she said.

Moses Chomba, a fish farmer, praised the impact of Governor Waiguru’s Wezesha empowerment programme saying it was changing livelihoods.

 "As a member of Kariua Youth Group, we had previously received pond liners, 1,000 fish fingerlings, and also had the privilege of getting full training on fish farming from experts sent by the county government”.

“We went on to sell our fish after a good harvest for over Sh100,000, which we shared as a group and reinvested by restocking our fingerlings. We are grateful to the county for giving us means of earning an honest living,” he added.

Kangai MCA James Wambu said the issuance of water pipes and fittings will help supply families with treated water for domestic consumption.

 “In Kangai, we have a lot of water but not clean for drinking. During rains, this area floods and residents suffer a lot,” Wambu noted.