A Sh1 billion Research and Farmers Training Centre will be established in Kakamega to boost aquaculture enterprises in the Western region.
This follows the signing of a five-year MoU between the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and the County Government of Kakamega early in the year to establish the facility in Mumias West subcounty.
Chief officer in charge of resource mobilisation and partnerships, Barack Otieno, said 25 hectares of land has been secured at Matawa area along River Nzoia for the project.
“One of the key conditions of the MoU was that sufficient government land be identified for the project and we have achieved this by identifying land along River Nzoia,” he said.
He said the project will be implemented in phases, adding that Kakamega will be the third county, after Mombasa and Kisumu, to host a KMFRI research centre.
Funding for the centre will be drawn from a mix of donor support, research grants, member contributions, subscriptions and other sources aligned with the objectives of the partnership.
The proposed centre will focus on freshwater fisheries research, aquaculture farmer training, fish feed processing, hatchery management and value addition.
It also aims to offer practical support to local fish farmers by linking them to improved inputs, technologies, extension services and wider markets.
Otieno said all subcounties with rivers will host satellite stations to support the wider aquaculture programme.
Residents welcomed the project during a public participation organised by the Kakamega county assembly Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives on Friday, saying the proposal will be a game-changer to the region’s blue economy.
"We have our own Kakamega Fish Plant but with the establishment of this facility is going to turn around our venture, boost our economic standards and uplift our lives and therefore we endorse its establishment," said James Olaka, a Mumias West resident.
Nancy Obilo from Lurambi said the centre will benefit youth seeking practical skills in aquaculture and boost the region’s blue economy.
Zeddy Gilbert from Mumias urged KMFRI to consider reviving stalled fish ponds and providing modern fish farming technologies to increase productivity.
The facility is expected to serve Kakamega and neighbouring counties within the Lake Region Economic Bloc, significantly strengthening the region’s position in the blue economy, according to members of the Agriculture Committee in the county assembly.
Committee chairman Timothy Anzetse said the project will serve all counties around Kakamega, including Bungoma, Busia, Trans Nzoia and Vihiga.
County director of Fisheries, Jonathan Masava said Kakamega has huge potential for fish farming given its favourable climate and numerous rivers, many of which already support diverse fish species.
“KMFRI’s presence will be transformative and it will function like Kalro but specifically for Fisheries. It will help improve fish varieties for farming and even support the restocking of our rivers," Masava said.
The centre will feature modern infrastructure, including fingerling hatcheries, fish feed processing units, demonstration ponds, laboratories, administrative offices and a dedicated training complex.
The project has also caught the attention of international development partners.
The World Bank has expressed interest in supporting the initiative under its Blue Economy programme.
