The Sh1.5 billion project being undertaken by the Netherlands to boost fishing in Lake Turkana has begun in earnest, Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has announced.
Speaking at his office during a meeting with the outgoing Netherlands ambassador to Kenya Maarten Brouwer, Mvurya said Kenya will allocate an additional Sh300 million for the project.
“Basic activities at the lake have begun but the main thrust will start in September,” the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS said.
Mvurya noted that project cuts across Marsabit and Turkana counties.
“For our part, we are going to construct two landing sites, one will be in Marsabit and the other in Turkana. It will cost us Sh300 million and we have already made a commitment to the Netherlands that we will build the landing sites,” he added.
Heh said the ambassador visited him in his office to assure him that even though he has completed his assignment in Kenya, the project will continue.
“Brouwer has assured me the project boost the potential of fisheries in Lake Turkana will proceed as planned,” he added.
The CS noted that the government has provided a patrol boat which cost Sh50 million to the project to boost security around the lake.
Brouwer thanked the CS for the time they worked together on the project.
“My successor will be fully informed and my team is very much on the job,” he said.
He added that ship-building partnerships between the Netherlands and Kenya will be enhanced.
“We will ensure resources and facilities are provided to promote the already existing trade relationship the two countries enjoy. The great cooperation with the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs will continue in the years to come,” he assured.
Lake Turkana is the most saline lake in East Africa and the largest desert lake in the world.
The Lake Turkana fishery is comprised of the Nile perch, Nile tilapia, and Labeo horie.
The fishery directly employs about 3000 fishers and yields about 4000 tons of fish per year, providing high-quality animal protein to the population around the lake, government documents show.
Fishing on the lake is still a subsistence activity and does not contribute much to the national economy.
