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Isaac Samperu, a farmer at Oldonyo Orok in Kajiado Central, cast a fishing net during a fish harvesting activity on March 23, 2024. 

Text and Photos by

Wilfred Nyangaresi |Nation


The Maasai community, traditionally reliant on livestock rearing for economic and dietary needs, has shifted toward alternative livelihoods like farming due to recurring droughts that cause massive livestock losses.


Fish farming, particularly Tilapia, has gained popularity as it is easy to manage and meets the growing demand for fish as a protein source. Judith Kuntai, a primary school teacher in Kajiado Central, successfully started a fish pond in 2021 after training, achieving consistent harvests every five months without restocking. 


The Kajiado County Government has supported youth groups in aquaculture, with farmers like Isaac Samperu benefiting from training and anticipating profits due to rising fish demand. Fish is also valued for its omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart and brain health. However, challenges such as water evaporation, limited markets, scarce feed, and predators like turtles hinder farmers' success.

Isaac Samperu, a farmer at Oldonyo Orok in Kajiado Central, displays some of the harvests from his fish farm on March 23, 2024.

A family enjoys fried fish at a homestead in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

An aerial view of a homestead with a fish pond in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

An aerial view of a homestead with a fish pond in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

Jerimiah Ongeri cast a Dip net during the fish harvest at a pond in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

Judith Kuntai attends to livestock at her Kajiado Central farm on March 23, 2024. 

Prepared fish ready for frying at a home in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

Judith Kuntai, a Primary school teacher and a farmer, prepares fish for frying harvested from her fish pond in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

Judith Kuntai, a Primary school teacher and a farmer, prepares fish for frying harvested from her fish pond in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

Judith Kuntai, a Primary school teacher and a farmer receives a bucket of fish harvested from her fish pond in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

A farmer displays fish feed at a homestead in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024.

Isaac Samperu, a farmer at Oldonyo Orok in Kajiado Central connects water from a community tank that he uses to supply to his fish pond and other farming activities on March 23, 2024. 

Sylvia Naserian feeds her fish at her farm in Ildamat ward Kajiado central constituency on January 27, 2024. 

Isaac Samperu, a farmer at Oldonyo Orok in Kajiado Central, observes a Turtle, one of the common predators affecting fish farming on March 23, 2024.

Isaac Samperu(right), a farmer at Oldonyo Orok in Kajiado Central, is assisted in casting a fishing net during a fish harvesting activity on March 23, 2024. 

Jerimiah Ongeri(left) and Wilson Meiliare(right) cast a net during the fish harvest at a pond in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

Fresh water supply to a fish pond in Kajiado County. 

A farmer hangs harvested fish to drain excess water before frying, at a homestead in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

Harvested fish on a grill net at a pond in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

Fried fish ready for consumption at a homestead in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024.

Judith Kuntai and David Kuntai Kobaai enjoy fried fish at a homestead in Kajiado Central on March 23, 2024. 

A small fish floats on the surface for fresh air at a fish pond in Oldonyo Orok in Kajiado Central.