Prices of omena also known as Lake Victoria sardines have skyrocketed with regular customers opting out of its consumption as retailers of the commodity shy away from stocking it for fear of losses.

Most customers depend on the retailers in open markets and roadside stalls but the prices have gone up shifting the smallest measure going for Sh50 unlike before when we used to have the same quantity going for Sh20 or Sh30.

A spot-check at retail outlets within Kapenguria Municipality revealed that the commodity is pretty expensive, causing some retailers to shelve the sale citing lack of steady customers.

Mercy Barasa who used to stock omena in large quantities says she only gets a small stock because the demand is very low hence she cannot risk investing her money in that business.

She said at the wholesale markets where they used to obtain their stock from, it is selling very expensively with a 2kg tin going for over Sh400 unlike before when it used to be half the price.

‘Such a cost calls for a heavy in
vestment but for now the customers have shied away because of the small quantity costing highly. I can rarely sell a 2kg tin of omena within a day as it used to be when the prices were low,’ lamented Mercy.

She disclosed that a sack, which is the largest wholesale measure, is going for over Sh20,000 something that has never happened in history. We don’t understand as business people what has caused this huge shift in omen prices,’ she wondered.

On the other hand, regular consumers have pulled down the fish from their menus with a similar reason for high prices.

Jackline Auma said she has suspended omena from her diet terming it uneconomical because the quantity she used to take with her family used to cost Sh50 but she needs over Sh100 to get the usual measure.

‘I would purchase a gorogoro (2kg tin) and use it for three days but that quantity is now unaffordable based on my income. Omena has been my cheapest source of proteins but I better go for beef because the cost has remained the same,’ she narrated.

Many consumers claimed that the smallest quantity on the retail market that now goes for Sh50 can rarely be sufficient to feed one person hence quite illogical especially for those with larger families.

The consumers further noted that they prefer omena to other fishes to boost their nutrition because it has been cheap and can be stocked for longer periods without getting spoiled.

‘Once omena is well dried it is less perishable and it can go for several months. Sometimes it comes in handy in case of emergencies when one fails to get other recipes because of daily commitments,’ stated Betty Chebet highlighting that deep fried or well sundried omena can be stored for 3 months without getting expired.

Silver Cyprinid is the English name of omena or the common English name whose scientific name is (Rastrineobola argentea) or also known as ‘Lake Victoria Sardines’.

It is also known as ‘dagaa’ in Swahili. Omena is a protein and Omega-3 fatty acids-rich freshwater fish.

Lake Victoria is the sole source of omena
and it is an important fish in the diet of people in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Source: Kenya News Agency