KILIFI, Kenya – Kilifi is among the coastal Kenyan counties that have taken advantage of the “blue economy” for economic prosperity.
Other counties like Mombasa, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, and Taita Taveta are utilising their marine resources for economic development through activities like fisheries, aquaculture, and marine tourism.
These counties primarily focus on sustainable practices to protect the marine environment while creating jobs and boosting local economies.
In recent years, Kilifi County has been heavily investing in marine infrastructure, specifically fish ports, landing sites, and processing facilities.
This move presents a substantial opportunity to enhance the county’s fisheries.
Additionally, developing modern ports and landing sites will undoubtedly improve the efficiency of fish harvesting, handling, and distribution.
By equipping processing facilities with cold storage, Kilifi County believes that such a move will reduce post-harvest losses and enable the export of fish products, opening up regional and international markets.
Already, the Kilifi County Government is working to support the blue economy through initiatives like improving fisheries regulations, providing opportunities for fishermen, and developing sustainable value chains.
What is the impact of the Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site
For instance, the establishment of the Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site is expected to significantly reduce post-harvest losses and increase income for local fishermen in the county.
Y News has established that the site will include essential facilities such as a modern fish banda, an ice plant with a chill room and dispatch area, a fish gear mending site, an open-air market hall, a 50-meter-long floating jetty, an ablution block, and a fish gear store.
Christine Pekeshe, Chief Officer for Blue Economy, recently hosted a site visit for the World Bank Mission to KEMFSED Infrastructure team, led by Consultant Engineer Bernard Odhuno, at the construction site.
“We understand that our local communities heavily rely on fishing as a primary source of income. It is against this backdrop that, as a county government, we are putting in more efforts to improve fish stock management and promote sustainable aquaculture practices,” said Pekeshe.
To boost the blue economy, the regional government works closely with officials from the KEMFSED National Project Coordination Unit, Project Environmental and Social Standards (ESS), and the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development Project.
The county government is also keen on completing the Kilifi County Blue Economy Office Complex. The multimillion-dollar project is part of the KEMFSED program.
“The complex aims to improve compliance with fishing regulations,” Pekeshe said.
She observed that upon completion, the facility is expected to significantly improve compliance with fisheries regulations in the county.
“The Kilifi County Government’s commitment to investing in modern infrastructure, such as the Malindi Fisheries Office, is a significant step towards supporting the blue economy in the county,” said Hassan Omar, a local fisherman.
How Kilifi fishermen are benefiting from training initiatives
Meanwhile, as part of the KEMFSED Project, the Directorate of Blue Economy has provided sponsorship for 58 fishermen belonging to groups that have access to modern offshore fishing boats.
These individuals are currently undergoing coxswain training at the Kisumu Maritime Centre.
The ongoing training aims to impart crucial navigation and safety skills to the fishermen, enabling them to effectively utilise modern boats and enhance their means of living.
To date, a total of 142 fishermen have benefitted from similar training initiatives, showcasing our dedication to empowering fishermen with the necessary knowledge and resources for sustainable offshore fishing practices.
The Directorate of Blue Economy, through the KEMFSED project, has taken an important step to empower the community by providing training on procurement and financial management to Phase III beneficiary groups of the KEMFSED project across the county.
During the training, participants were guided through essential topics such as the procurement process, the required documents, and the financial records to be maintained by the groups.
The goal of the training is to ensure that all groups are well-equipped to handle project activities and manage finances effectively.
Y News has also established that the county government is working to address gaps in the seaweed and fish farming areas to drive sustainable economic development.
How Kilifi County is supporting sustainable fishing
The devolved unit has, for instance, distributed basket traps to promote sustainable fishing.
“These traps are environmentally friendly because they only catch larger fish,” explained another local fisherman, Abubakar Ali.
Tapping into the seaweed market can provide significant economic benefits.
This is because seaweed has multiple applications, including food, cosmetics, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. With the global market for seaweed products expanding, Kilifi County is on the path to becoming a key player in this industry.
Further, the county government is working to develop skills in areas like coastal tourism, maritime transport, and vessel repair.
In the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, the county government is working to support the initiatives through innovation labs and business development services.
Commercialising fish farming provides a path to increased food production, job creation, and economic growth.
It is beyond no doubt that with the right infrastructure and support, Kilifi County can become a hub for aquaculture, supplying both local and regional markets with high-quality fish products.
