By Habil Onyango
The fishing sector plays a significant role in the growth of the national economy, contributing approximately Kshs.178.8 billion annually
The Kenyan Coast and Lake Victoria, with untapped potential play a crucial role in the livelihoods of Kenya’s fishing communities.
Through sustainable business ventures, the Blue Economy and Fisheries subsector supports these communities both directly and indirectly.
The Government however has made significant strides in developing Coastal and Lake Victoria Blue Economy and Fisheries infrastructure to further drive this growth.
According to the Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura, the Government has invested over Ksh.4.9 billion in the blue economy and Fisheries sector in Coastal and Lake Victoria
Mwaura said that in the Coastal region, the Government has developed landing sites at Kibuyuni, Gazi, and Vanga in Kwale County. Ngomeni and Kichwa Cha Kati in Kilifi County.
“These projects, valued at Ksh.163.8 million and they are aimed at supporting the livelihoods of local fishing communities,” said Mwaura.
“Additionally, five more landing sites are under construction in Mwaepe (Kwale), Kidongo (Mombasa), Kilifi Central (Kilifi), Kipini (Tana River), and Mkowe (Lamu),” he added.
Mwaura revealed that in the Lake Victoria region, the Government has completed and launched landing sites at Mulukhoba in Busia, Sori in Migori, and Luanda K’Otieno in Siaya Counties while the development of nine other landing sites is ongoing at a total cost of Ksh. 1.5 billion.
The spokesperson added that the government has further provided Ksh. 3.2 billion in grants to fund 1,263 Common Interest Groups (CIGs), helping to keep the fishing communities economically resilient.
He said that 875 other young fishers across the country will receive training in deep-sea fishing through this funding.
“These groups, which include youth, women, community-based, and self-help organizations, have used the funds for fishing boats, gear, coral reef restoration, and mariculture
“These will improve the livelihoods of people in the region by increasing business activity translating to money in the pockets of Kenyans,” he said.
Aquaculture
Mwaura said that the Government has further established 100 Smallholder Aquaculture Groups (SAG) in order to meet the huge market demand for Blue Economy and Fisheries products across the globe,
He said this has benefitted 1,200 smallholder aquaculture farmers who have been supported with pond rehabilitation and construction materials.
He said these group ventures will serve as a boost to their earnings while catalyzing food and nutrition security.
“The program has created jobs as 90 Aquaculture Technical Extension Officers trained on Technologies, Innovations, and management Practices have been hired,” said Mwaura.
The Spokesman added that 150 Beach Management Units (BMUs) have so far been transformed into cooperatives which include 84 in the Lake Victoria region and another 61 in the Coastal region as an effort to empower participants in the sector
He said the transformation is expected to enhance organization, resource access, and growth opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises among these communities.
“Despite these developments, the subsector continues to face challenges from Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing,” said Mwaura in a press release
“To combat this, we have strengthened our monitoring, control, and surveillance efforts whereby a total of 123 fishing boats have already been distributed to fishing communities, and 25 additional offshore (deep sea) fishing boats will be procured at a cost of Ksh.600 million,”
“Six patrol boats are also in operation across the Coast, Lake Naivasha, Lake Victoria, and Lake Turkana to address overfishing and protect Kenya’s waters,” he said
