The Ministry of Health has cautioned motorists travelling along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway against buying fish from fishmongers in Naivasha.

A senior health official has said the sale of fish along the highway is an illegal practice and also a health hazard.

The health official pointed out the fact that people need to embrace proper handling procedures which involve preservation and cold storage since the fish are perishable goods.

The official said the illegal sale of fish could lead to the spread of food-borne illnesses.

"It is shocking to see the number of people involved in the illegal sale of fish and this might lead to food-borne illnesses," the official said.

Apart from cautioning consumers against buying fish from unlicensed mongers, the department of health has also raised concern over the mode of transporting the fish.

The health official also advised coordination between the fisheries department and the public health sector to stop the illegal business as appropriate facilities and equipment are established to process the fish.

The County Government of Nakuru recently began building a modern fish market worth Sh240 million at Kinungi.

It will comprise several projects among them, vegetable stalls, water harvesting facilities and commercial public sanitary facilities.