By/ Courtesy
A new study has raised alarm over the safety of fish sold in Kisumu.
The study reveals that six in every ten samples tested contained Escherichia coli (E. coli)—a common bacterium that is increasingly becoming resistant to essential antibiotics.
The research, carried out by a team at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), examined 256 market-ready fish. Of these, 153 tested positive for E. coli, underscoring a problem that goes beyond food hygiene and into the wider fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Although E. coli naturally lives in the gut, certain strains can cause dangerous infections such as urinary tract infections, sepsis, and meningitis.
When these strains become resistant to antibiotics, treating such illnesses becomes far more difficult, leading to avoidable deaths and higher medical costs.
Lead researcher Silas Onyango Awour, a clinical microbiologist at JOOTRH, said the high contamination levels point to a worrying pattern of environmental pollution and poor waste management.
“The high prevalence highlights a significant risk along the supply chain,” Awour explained.
“Pampers disposed along the road eventually find their way into the lake, and they are the main reason why the fish tested positive for E. coli.”
The findings reinforce the fragile relationship between aquaculture, environmental health, and rising AMR.
The study notes that misuse of antimicrobials in fish farming—combined with contamination from poorly discarded waste—creates perfect conditions for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to thrive and eventually reach consumers.
The research team also included Eric Omwenga, Zipporah Gichana, Grace Ndeda, Jamie Reedy, and Theekshana Fernando.
Presented during World Fisheries Day, the study quickly drew the attention of county leaders.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili called for a follow-up assessment at fish landing sites to pinpoint the origin of the contamination.
Dr Awour welcomed the idea, saying it would help shape future investigations.
In response, the JOOTRH Antimicrobial Resistance Committee has developed a new One Health–aligned charter for its 2025 strategy.
It calls for stronger cross-sector collaboration involving the County Government, Beach Management Units (BMUs), the Fisheries Department, and Public Health teams.
The strategy also prioritises better surveillance, including structured sampling of lake water and fish for ongoing microbiological testing.
During the World Fisheries Day event, the committee took the opportunity to sensitise fisherfolk on AMR, safe fish handling, and proper hygiene.
Their message was clear: the fight against AMR does not begin or end in hospitals—its frontline stretches across communities, ecosystems, farms, and food systems.