On the calm shores of Lake Victoria in Kochia, Homa Bay County, life seems serene. But for the community that depends on it, the lake is far more than water, it is a workplace, a classroom, and often the only safety net. Today, that same lake is also a source of rising health risks.
“This lake helps us survive,” says Calvins Mingo, a local resident. “Widows, orphans, and even schoolchildren depend on it. But where there is benefit, there must be a challenge.”
Those challenges are increasingly linked to prolonged exposure to lake waters and the unchecked spread of water hyacinth, phenomena health experts tie to climate change.
Nyapos: The Lake’s double-edged gift
For many, water hyacinth is more than a nuisance. It is livelihood.
“When there is water hyacinth, people are not jobless,” says Peter Oyoma, who harvests the plant to make fishing bait, locally called nyapos or mbuta. “We sell it to fishermen and traders in Uganda, Busia, Usenge, and even Tanzania. It has a ready market.”
Nyapos draws larger fish like Nile perch, generating income for households without boats or fishing gear. Families rely on it for school fees, food, and keeping children in class.
“When there is no water hyacinth, many people suffer,” Oyoma adds. “This thing gives people money.”
Yet the same plant that feeds families also exposes them to danger.
Long hours, rising health risks
Harvesting nyapos often means wading long hours in lake water, barefoot and unprotected. Climate-driven flooding and stagnant waters increase exposure to parasites and bacteria.
“Most of our clients are fisherfolk who stay in the water for long periods,” says Molly Ochar, a nurse and outreach coordinator in beach communities. “That prolonged contact is why we see many neglected tropical diseases.”
Medical teams regularly detect bilharzia (schistosomiasis), intestinal worms, elephantiasis, river blindness, and trachoma. Children lose nutrients to worms, causing anemia and stunted growth. Adults face chronic pain, swollen limbs, and reduced ability to work turning illness into economic loss.
“These conditions don’t kill immediately,” Ochar notes. “But they slowly destroy productivity and dignity.”
Mental health under pressure
The physical toll is mirrored by mental strain.
“The biggest challenge is not knowing what to do,” says Everline Akoth. “You wake up worried about food, school fees, sickness.”
Chronic disease, hunger, and unstable income fuel anxiety and depression, particularly among men who continue working despite illness.
“When the body is affected, the mind is affected too,” Ochar explains. “We do counselling because many people feel ashamed or hopeless.”
Globally, the World Health Organization warns that climate change is accelerating water-borne and vector-borne diseases while undermining mental wellbeing, especially in communities tied to natural ecosystems.
The hidden dangers of water hyacinth
Despite its economic benefits, water hyacinth poses real risks.
“When water hyacinth invades fishing areas, it destroys nets and blocks transport routes,” says Edward Oremo, chairperson of the county Beach Management Unit. “Fish cannot reach the market. Prices fall. Accidents increase.”
Some fishermen have been trapped in thick mats of hyacinth for days, with fatal outcomes in extreme cases.
“Compared to the benefits, the dangers are many,” Oremo adds. “The pace of dealing with this problem is still too slow.”
Scientists warn that warming waters and nutrient runoff, both linked to climate change, are accelerating the spread of invasive aquatic plants worldwide.
Adaptation at the frontlines
In Kochia, adaptation is happening out of necessity. Health teams conduct beach outreaches, mass deworming campaigns, and sanitation education. Communities are encouraged to treat drinking water, wear protective gear, and seek medical care early.
“We are focusing on prevention,” Ochar says. “Simple actions can reduce disease.”
Still, residents stress that resilience alone is not enough.
“We need jobs and support,” says Erick Omollo, a nyapos harvester. “We are suffering.”
A global story, told by a lake
From Kochia to fishing villages across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, climate change is turning lakes, rivers, and coastlines into health frontlines.
“This water is helping us so much,” Mingo reflects. “But it is also challenging us.”
The story of nyapos, water hyacinth, and prolonged lake exposure offers a stark lesson: when ecosystems change, health follows and those living closest to nature feel it first.