By Reporter
The Government has invested billions of shillings in fisheries and aquaculture projects in Kilifi and Kisumu counties since 2022, with funding directed towards modern landing sites, processing and cold-storage facilities, research and training, and livelihood programmes targeting women and youth.
In Kilifi, the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development project has funded 287 Common Interest Groups with Sh983.64 million, benefiting 21,107 people, including 10,419 women and 10,688 youths.
The beneficiaries were engaged in fisheries, agriculture, livestock, environmental conservation, social welfare and small and medium-sized enterprises.
In Kisumu, CS Joho said the Government was developing the Kabonyo Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Service and Training Centre of Excellence, a US$9.997 million (Sh1.299 billion) project approved in November 2022 through a tied-aid credit from the Hungarian Government.
Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho appeared before the Senate to respond to questions from Minority Leader and Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda on government investment in the blue economy sector in the two counties since 2022.
He said the programmes in the two counties were part of a national strategy to improve the management of fisheries resources while expanding opportunities for communities dependent on the sector.
Senator Madzayo had sought details on the distribution of blue economy investments, programmes undertaken in Kilifi, jobs created for women and youth, plans for landing sites and cold-storage facilities, and measures to address climate change, pollution and declining fish stocks.
Senator Ojienda, meanwhile, sought an update on blue economy programmes in Kisumu, including their implementation status and completion timelines, as well as the condition and operational status of landing sites and cold-chain facilities.
In his response, CS Joho said the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries had rolled out programmes across the country aimed at improving food and nutritional security while generating income and wealth.
“The State Department has formulated and implemented several programs and projects that have been rolled out nationally, with the objective of ensuring food and nutritional security, income and wealth generation for socioeconomic development of the country,” he said.
“The Blue Economy interventions have generated employment and livelihood opportunities through direct project activities and indirectly through associated value chains,” said CS Joho.
He said the Government had completed modern fish landing facilities at Ngomeni, Kichwa Cha Kati and Malindi at a cost of Sh48.62 million, Sh51.78 million and Sh54.98 million, respectively.
“The initiative is aimed at reducing post-harvest losses to improve food security and ensuring increased earnings for the fisher folk and an easing of the fishing pressure,” said CS Joho.
The Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site, which is being constructed at a cost of Sh275.07 million, is 85 per cent complete and, once operational, is expected to support 3,000 direct beneficiaries and 15,000 indirect beneficiaries.
“Upon completion and operationalization, the facility is expected to support 3,000 direct beneficiaries (BMU Members) and 15,000 indirect beneficiaries through fishing activities, fish handling, trading, transportation, processing and other fisheries value-chain activities,” he said.
The CS said the Government was also constructing the Kilifi Central Fisheries Office at a cost of Sh152.36 million, while the renovation of the Malindi Fisheries Office was costing Sh53.89 million. Both projects are approximately 99 per cent complete.
Plans are also underway to develop additional landing sites at Mayungu, Watamu, Mtwapa, Takaungu, Kuruwitu, Uyombo, Ngomeni, Malindi and Bofa.
The proposed facilities will include fish markets, ice plants, cold stores, processing areas and jetties.
On climate change, CS Joho said the Government was using both nature-based and mechanical interventions to protect fishing communities from emerging threats.
“The State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries is cognizant of the existential threats posed by climate change to the livelihoods and well-being of coastal and freshwater fishing communities,” he said.
In the coastal region, the Government has planted about 2.4 million mangrove saplings and promoted seaweed farming, while early warning systems provide fishing communities with oceanographic information to guide fishing operations.
“These interventions have contributed to reducing cases of fishermen drowning at sea as a result of unpredictable ocean conditions,” said CS Joho.
