- The project aims to improve management of priority fisheries and mariculture, as well as increase access to complementary livelihood activities in coastal communities.
Image: CHETI PRAXIDES
The Sh10 billion Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic development project has officially taken off in Lamu county.
On Wednesday, the project implementation team began receiving training and familiarisation with the project during a conference held in the county.
The project which aligns with Kenya's Blue Economy blueprint, is funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kenyan government, and will be implemented for five years in the five coastal counties of Lamu, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Tana River.
The project aims to improve management of priority fisheries and mariculture, as well as increase access to complementary livelihood activities in coastal communities.
Top among the project’s agenda is to improve coastal community empowerment and livelihoods through grants awarded to Community Based Organisations in each of Lamu's 10 wards, to implement sustainable projects in fishing, agriculture and livestock keeping.
Speaking during the official launch of the project at the Lamu county headquarters in Mokowe, Lamu governor Fahim Twaha said the project will enable the county harness maximum potential from the Blue economy sector.
“Lamu has a large chunk of the Coast region’s ocean and related resources which we intend to harness and help improve and change fortunes for the beneficiaries here,” Twaha said.
Other critical activities that will be undertaken by the project will include scholarships offered to marginalised communities within the county, internship programmes and implementation of further community-friendly projects.
This comes weeks after Twaha got a second nod as the Council of Governors Technical Committee chairman on Blue Economy.
Twaha has shepherded the Blue Growth Agenda between counties and the national government, specifically the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and employment.
-Edited by SKanyara
Image: CHETI PRAXIDES