Kenya Committed to Revitalizing Lake Victoria’s Blue Economy through Sh1.3 Billion Aquaculture Project
Kisumu, The Gulf Observer: Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to transforming Kenya’s blue economy, highlighting key infrastructure developments aimed at revitalizing Lake Victoria’s fisheries sector. Central to this initiative is the ongoing construction of the Sh1.3 billion Kabonyo-Kanyagwal Aquaculture Center in Kisumu County.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the site on Tuesday, Kindiki lauded the project as a landmark investment in Kenya’s sustainable development strategy. “This facility is a game changer. It will boost fish production, support sustainable fishing practices, and create thousands of jobs across the lakeside region,” he stated.
Currently 15% complete, the Kabonyo-Kanyagwal Aquaculture Center is projected to produce 28 million fingerlings annually. It will also function as a specialized training hub for fish farmers and other stakeholders, thus advancing the government’s broader blue economy agenda.
The Deputy President emphasized that the facility’s fish stock would be used to restock Lake Victoria, where fish populations have been dwindling. “The center will support thousands of small-scale fish farmers and complement ongoing efforts to enhance food security and livelihoods within the region,” he said.
In line with efforts to modernize the fisheries sector, Kindiki also announced the ongoing construction of nine modern fish landing sites across Migori, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Busia counties. These sites will be equipped with cold storage and value addition infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and increase earnings for fishing communities.
He cited the successful completion and handover of the first phase of the initiative, which included landing sites at Mulukoba (Busia), Luanda K’otieno (Siaya), and Sori (Migori).
To promote sustainable fishing, the government has partnered with Beach Management Units (BMUs), releasing Sh124 million to support the acquisition of modern fishing gear. Kindiki confirmed that additional funding will be provided this year to enable BMUs to expand into deep-sea fishing.
“These projects are aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and they are already creating employment opportunities for plumbers, artisans, architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors,” the Deputy President added. “This is about building long-term, sustainable jobs for our people.”
The government’s blue economy initiatives are expected to play a critical role in revitalizing the Lake Victoria region, ensuring sustainable use of aquatic resources while boosting economic growth and community resilience.
