Fishermen in Lake Naivasha are now accusing the County government of misplaced priorities in the guise of development in the area.
The group said it was disheartening to see the county budget for projects that will benefit them without prior consultation.
This came as the department of health ordered the fisher folk to close down the Karagita landing beach eatery due to health reasons.
According to the Lake Naivasha Boat Owners Association chairman David Kilo, the fishermen were told to construct new eateries as the current ones were not conforming to the basic hygienic standards.
Kilo said that although the move was welcome, the county was not helping them overcome the current problem and was instead focusing on other issues.
He said that of the four landing beaches around the lake, Karagita has been neglected leaving residents to consume fish in an unfriendly environment.
“The decision by the public health department to close down where we cook our fish is noble but the county government should help us construct modern kitchens in this area”.
He took issue with the planned construction of a fish market and storage facility in the area saying they were not consulted.
The chairman said the county should have constructed enough sheds where fish can be sold before beginning the project estimated to cost Ksh 8M.
“These are some of the failures of the current governor Kinuthia Mbugua who is doing projects that have not been agreed upon and we wonder on whose interest he is serving”.
A visibly angry Kilo said though the market idea was noble, some issues would have had to be sorted first noting that the county boss was not listening to them.
“As we speak now, Kenyans cannot enjoy their favourite delicacy at the lake because it has been closed and it will take close to a week to put up modern kitchen as we are depending on our own money, yet the county collects revenue here each day”.
Last year the county government embarked on the process of constructing a modern fish market and a storage facility a move meant to reduce the number of fish loss in the area.
“The funds were set aside in the last financial year and the market would be a big boost to the fishermen”, said former chairman of the implementation committee in the county assembly and Lake View ward MCA Simon Wanango.