Lake Victoria Fisheries | Its importance to Kenya

Whereas Kenya’s sector of the lake is relatively smallest, it provides the most productive and economically richest fishery nationwide. Annually, Lake Victoria fisheries in Kenya account for 77% of the total quantity of fisheries products landed and 64% of total value acquired by fishers. In 2016 , the fisheries sector in Kenya produced 128, 645 metric tones which implied a modest contribution of 0.5% to national GDP; of which Lake Victoria fisheries produced 98,666 metric tones amounting to 0.4% of Kenya’s GDP. Currently, the lake hosts 338 landing sites; 14,365 crafts with 43,653 fishermen; and 156 foot fishers in five riparian counties of Kenya namely Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Homabay and Migori. The lake forms the economic backbone in these administrative counties and the leading employer of county residents.