Residents in siaya and busia counties count their blessings by collecting mudfish despite the ongoing drought.

The ongoing drought in the country has caused the water level in River Nzoia to drop dramatically,, giving some residents a once-in-a-lifetime chance to harvest mudfish from the river's shallow areas where they are exposed.

PHOTO | COURTESY Mud fish

According to Mr Andrew Omolo, a retired teacher and a member of Ruambwa Environment Management Community Based Organisation, There are times when the fish will hide in the mud. Water levels have dropped due to the prolonged drought, and the soil is rapidly drying up. In the process, the fish would want to leave their hiding place in search of water, exposing themselves.

The prolonged drought in the country has resulted in massive farm losses, and the availability of fish is a saving grace.

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Ms Veronica Atieno, a resident of Ruambwa, said that It is not all gloom after all. The draught, even though it has destroyed their crops, has brought fish they can quickly get from mud, adding that she has been collecting fish for close to a month.

She added, "We begin collecting the fish when the sun is up from mid-morning when the fish begin making some movement."

PHOTO | COURTESY fishmonger

The country is currently experiencing the worst drought in decades after rains fail for fall for the fourth year. The weatherman says that the situation in the country is expected to worsen if the government does not receive rain soon and that over five million kenyans will be at risk of starving.

The United States has donated $16 billion to Kenya to alleviate the drought. Kenya is suffering from the worst lack in decades.

According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the donated funds will help meet the needs of over 1.3 million Kenyans nationwide. Kenyans needing assistance are expected to number more than five million by June 2023.