Lake Victoria: Tough times push struggling families into sand business

A number of families living along Lake Victoria in Migori County are having to turn to alternative economic activities like sand harvesting as a means of livelihood.

According to some of the residents of Ratieny in Migori county, the high cost of living and a sharp drop in fish catch in the lake, has pushed many of them into this new 'venture'.

Mothers, children – and the men – can be seen digging and collecting mountains of sand on the roadside. It is here that they meet buyers of the precious soil.

The sand is harvested from River Ratieny which empties into Lake Victoria.

Many, however, claim that they are paid peanuts for the gruelling job. 

“This is very good quality sand. It’s brown sand that is not easily available out there, but buyers who come from as far as Kisii, Homa Bay counties don't often pay us well,” says a woman who only identified herself as Jane".

“This is slowly becoming a common economic activity in this area. It’s like a family business for most households,” said Mama Jane* who hails from Kadem.

Some of the residents told Wananchi Reporting that despite the high demand for sand in the neighbouring counties like Kisii and Homa Bay – the prices have remained low down here.

Residents said that they get paid a paltry Ksh2,000 for a tipper filled with sand.

“Some of us cannot even afford school fees for our children. These buyers come with large lorries to carry the sand – but we are left with coins,” she says.

Sometimes they have walk for long distances looking for sand, and having to transport it to the side of the road from where the buyers load it into their waiting lorries.

Others have to dig deep into the river bed, and on the banks, scooping and lifting sand – which is then transported to a common pooling area for collection and sale.

Residents want the local administration to promote and encourage responsible sand harvest - as well as protect harvesters from exploitation.