KISUMU, Kenya – The Kenyan government has successfully secured a funding of Sh1.45 billion from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) aimed at constructing fish landing sites along Lake Victoria. This initiative, channeled through the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), is set to usher in the construction of 10 ultra-modern fish landing facilities across Busia, Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, and Homa Bay counties, marking a significant step towards revitalizing the nation’s fisheries sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries has formalized the agreement with IFAD. A technical team has been dispatched to evaluate the sites in preparation for the imminent launch. “We have a team on the ground to fast-track this project, working in close coordination with the county governments to fulfill all necessary requirements as we initiate this project,” Mvurya stated.
The locations for these sites, including Gumbe in Busia, Wichlum and Asembo in Siaya, Ogal and Asat in Kisumu, Nyandhiwa, Nyakula, and Mainuga in Homa Bay, along with Got Kochola and Sori in Migori, are expected to be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to bolster support for fisherfolk and other stakeholders within the fish value chain. Mvurya highlighted that these sites will serve as aggregation centers, providing ample cold storage facilities for fisherfolk to store their catch while seeking favorable markets.
Emphasizing a strategic departure from conventional fishing practices, Mvurya noted, “We are transitioning from the traditional method of fishing, where farmers catch and sell fish immediately to sustain a living. We are now viewing fisheries as an investment, encouraging our fishermen and farmers to hold off on selling their catch immediately to secure better prices.”
This project aims to enhance the fish value chain in these four counties, with the infrastructure developed expected to support light and small industries through the utilization of by-products from fish, stimulating economic growth at the local level. Mvurya commended IFAD for its collaboration with the Kenyan government in revitalizing the fisheries and blue economy sectors, acknowledging the incorporation of this initiative into the ABDP during its mid-term review.
Further efforts to vitalize the landing sites include the formation of cooperatives for Beach Management Units (BMUs), enabling fishermen to collectively sell their fish, thereby ensuring competitive pricing. Additionally, Mvurya revealed that his ministry has allocated Sh400 million towards establishing fish cages in Lake Victoria to augment fish production, along with Sh50 million for the procurement of six boats to strengthen security within Lake Victoria, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Turkana. This comes as part of a broader strategy to boost fish production in response to the government’s ban on fish imports from China.
The announcement was made during a consultative meeting in Kisumu, discussing proposed ABDP development projects for Lake Victoria. The meeting saw the participation of key regional leaders and members of parliament, underlining the collective commitment to enhancing Kenya’s fisheries sector. IFAD Country Director Mariatu Kamara reaffirmed the agency’s ongoing support for the Kenyan government’s efforts in scaling up investments in the fisheries and blue economy sector, expressing optimism for the project’s success.