President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the country’s blue economy, citing the untapped potential of the Indian Ocean and the country’s inland water bodies.
Speaking during the official closing of the Blue Economy Conference in Homa Bay, Ruto announced that the government will allocate Sh1.2 billion to acquire between 15 and 20 deep-sea fishing vessels.
This move, he said, is aimed at accelerating Kenya’s entry into the global deep-sea fishing industry and unlocking economic opportunities along the coast.
“We want to play at the next level,” Ruto said.
He stressed that despite the vast marine resources available, Kenya has barely scratched the surface.
The current contribution of the blue economy, he disclosed, stands at Sh30 to Sh40 billion annually.
According to the Head of State, the country has the potential to grow this to Sh300 to Sh500 billion per year with the right investments and strategic direction.
To realise this goal, he said there was a need to build capacity among local communities and invest in critical infrastructure to support the sector.
He highlighted several ongoing and upcoming initiatives that aim to strengthen the fisheries and aquaculture value chains across the country.
One of the key initiatives is the commercialisation of the Liwatoni fish processing plant in Mombasa. Ruto explained that involving the private sector will enhance efficiency and productivity at the facility.
The ceremony was attended by former prime minister Raila Odinga among several other leaders.
Additionally, the government is expanding hatchery infrastructure to ensure a steady supply of fish fingerlings for aquaculture.
A flagship project in Kisumu, supported by Sh1.3 billion from development partners, is expected to produce between 7,000 and 10,000 fingerlings every quarter, significantly boosting the restocking of Lake Victoria.
A similar hatchery project is also underway in Kwale.
The President further noted progress in improving fish handling and processing infrastructure.
Over the past three years, the government has completed seven fish landing sites, four along the Indian Ocean coast and three around Lake Victoria.
To build on this progress, the government is constructing five additional sites on the Coast and nine more around Lake Victoria, with Sh1.5 billion already committed to the latter.
In Homa Bay, three new sites, he said, will be established with a dedicated investment of Sh450 million.
He urged the ministry to fast-track procurement and construction processes, noting that architectural designs are complete and that the projects must be delivered within the next year.
In aquaculture, Ruto said the government is scaling up operations with 54 fish cages already in place and an additional 55 currently being procured.
These efforts, Ruto said, are part of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable fish production and job creation across coastal and lakeside communities.
“We must build the blocks that will unlock the potential that exists in our blue economy,” he said.
