Nairobi: Along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kochia, Homa Bay County, the water appears calm, its surface blanketed by thick mats of water hyacinth. To many outsiders, the invasive weed symbolizes environmental degradation. But to the communities living along the lake, it represents something far more complex – a source of livelihood that is increasingly intertwined with growing health risks driven by climate change.
According to Kenya News Agency, the lake has been a lifeline for thousands of families through fishing and related activities. Today, however, changing weather patterns, flooding, and the rapid spread of water hyacinth are reshaping both livelihoods and public health. Calvin Mingo, a resident of Kochia, highlights the lake’s importance, saying, “This lake helps us survive. Widows, orphans and even schoolchildren depend on it for subsistence. But the benefits have come with challenges.”
For many residents, water hyacinth is not simply an invasive plant. Beneath its dense cover thrives nyapos, small fish species that have become an important source of income. Peter Oyoma, who harvests nyapos from beneath the floating vegetation, states, “When there is water hyacinth, people are not jobless. We sell it to fishermen and traders in Uganda, Busia, Usenge, and even Tanzania. It has a ready market.” The small fish are mainly used as bait for larger commercial species such as Nile perch and tilapia. Their trade provides seasonal income that helps families pay school fees, buy food, and meet household expenses.
However, earning that income comes at a cost. Harvesters spend long hours wading through stagnant lake water, often barefoot and without gloves or protective clothing. Health experts warn that prolonged exposure has increased the risk of water-borne and neglected tropical diseases, with climate change worsening the situation. Molly Ochar, a nurse and outreach coordinator working with beach communities, notes, “Most of our patients are fisherfolk who stay in the water for long periods. That prolonged contact is why we see many neglected tropical diseases.”
Medical outreach programs frequently diagnose bilharzia (schistosomiasis), intestinal worm infections, elephantiasis, river blindness, and trachoma. Ochar explains, “These diseases thrive in contaminated or stagnant water. When sanitation is poor and flooding washes waste into the lake, the same water is used for drinking, cooking, and washing.” The health consequences are severe, with children suffering anemia, malnutrition, and delayed growth, while adults endure chronic pain, swollen limbs, and declining physical strength.
Beyond physical illness, the uncertainty created by climate change is taking a psychological toll on fishing communities. Everline Akoth, a local resident, shares, “The biggest challenge is not knowing what to do. You wake up worried about food, school fees, and sickness.” Persistent illness, declining incomes, and food insecurity are contributing to anxiety and depression, especially among fishermen who continue working despite deteriorating health.
Water hyacinth is also disrupting fishing operations across Lake Victoria. Edward Oremo, Chairperson of the County Beach Management Unit, points out, “When water hyacinth invades fishing areas, it destroys nets and blocks transport routes. Fish cannot reach the market. Prices fall. Accidents increase.” Some fishermen have become trapped in dense mats of hyacinth for days while navigating the lake, with some incidents proving fatal.
Climate scientists attribute the rapid spread of invasive aquatic plants to rising water temperatures and increased nutrient runoff associated with climate change. In Kochia, local communities and health workers are adapting as best they can. Medical teams regularly conduct beach outreach programs, provide mass deworming services, and educate residents on sanitation, water treatment, and disease prevention. Residents are also encouraged to wear protective clothing while working in the lake and to seek treatment early.
“We are focusing on prevention,” Ochar says. “Simple actions can reduce disease.” However, residents argue that prevention alone cannot solve the wider problem. Erick Omollo, another nyapos harvester, expresses, “We need jobs and support. We are suffering.”
From Kochia to fishing communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, climate change is transforming lakes, rivers, and coastlines into frontlines of both economic survival and public health. Standing on the shores of Lake Victoria, Mingo reflects on the contradiction that defines daily life for many families. “This water is helping us so much,” he says. “But it is also challenging us.”
His words capture the delicate balance between livelihood and survival. As climate change continues to reshape ecosystems, the story of water hyacinth and nyapos demonstrates that environmental change extends beyond the natural world, directly affecting human health, incomes, and wellbeing. For communities living closest to the lake, adapting to those changes has become an unavoidable part of everyday life.
