The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) has pledged to work closely with other organisations to ensure coordinated development efforts within the Lake Victoria Basin, particularly in support of the region’s growing blue economy.
The commitment was made at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay during the Blue Economy conference.
Speaking at the event, LBDA Managing Director Wycliffe Ochiaga emphasized the importance of collaboration among agricultural and livestock agencies to ensure proper planning and efficient use of resources in the region.
“We are taking a joint approach to develop the Lake Victoria Basin by coordinating with other stakeholders to prevent the misuse of funds and promote impactful programs,” he said.
Ochiaga revealed that LBDA's Kisumu office has already launched a training program to educate fish farmers on modern and sustainable fish farming techniques.
These include cage fish farming technologies and hygienic practices to meet the growing demand in the market.
He added that the authority has introduced solar-powered machines used to hatch chicks, an initiative that has already benefited several farmers in the region.
LBDA’s interventions align with broader national goals under the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, which was established to coordinate the country’s efforts in aquaculture, maritime transport, coastal tourism, and fisheries.
Kenya’s commitment to the blue economy is anchored in global goals like SDG 14, aimed at sustainable use and conservation of marine resources.
As a regional development agency, the MD said LBDA has played a crucial role in promoting public-private partnerships such as their collaboration with Aquarech on aquaculture technologies.
It also runs a state-of-the-art hatchery producing over 24 million fingerlings annually, provides technical training and extension services, and supports community-led aquaculture models targeting women and youth.
Director Ochiaga further noted that LBDA remains committed to supporting local fishers by connecting them with reliable sources of affordable fish feed and linking them with appropriate institutions for market access.
“Our goal is to ensure smallholder fish farmers are not left behind in the blue economy transformation,” he said.
The Authority’s efforts also include integrated water resource management strategies to protect aquatic ecosystems and continuous advocacy for localized policy reforms to reflect ecological and socio-economic realities in the Lake Region.
As Kenya strengthens its blue economy through regulatory reforms and innovation projects like cage farming, LBDA is positioning itself as a key driver of sustainable and inclusive development inthe Lake Victoria Basin.
