State to put up fish processing plants along Lake Victoria - Owalo

The government intends to put up fish processing plants along the beaches of Lake Victoria as a way of empowering Kenyan fishermen.

ICT cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo on Saturday said these are amongst the measures in the pipeline by President William Ruto's government to boost fisheries and production.

Speaking at his rural home in Rarieda during a meeting with church leaders from across Nyanza,  the CS said fishermen from Lake Victoria should be enabled to be able to export fish to international markets and enhance their earnings.

"It is not pleasant to see our people eating fish that is mainly imported from China for instance. We need to boost local production, for consumption and export," he said.

He said that as part of the effort to revolutionise the fishing industry in the Nyanza region,  the government has already injected Sh3 billion towards establishing a fisheries aquaculture service and training centre of excellence in Nyando, Kisumu County.

The centre will facilitate training, research, innovation and best practices in fisheries and aquaculture through demonstration and incubations.

"The Kenya Kwanza government is keen to ensure we have fish processing plants built along the beaches of Lake Victoria," he said.

The CS also noted plans are on to establish free Internet hubs which will b3 installed in every major fish landing beach along Lake Victoria.

"We will leverage on technology to market our fish using various online platforms made available through Internet technology," he said.

He said Nyanza has immense potential in several sectors including tourism that can generate a lot of income if harnessed adding that the government through the ministry is working to map tourist attraction sites for aggressive marketing.

To boost food security,  the CS said the government will work on modalities that will see the vast Yala swamp in Siaya County effectively utilised by local communities.

"We want to see how Yala swamp can be brought back to the hands of the public," he said.

"We must ensure that our region is empowered in terms of development," he said.

Owalo said he is not about seeking positions or filling up the government with individuals from Luo Nyanza. 

 He further reiterated government commitments to the revival of cotton farming saying doing so was on top of the government's agenda.

"Apart from the fish landing points,  Schools will also have digital laboratories," he said.

"We are also targeting polytechnics. We are availing 25,000 computers to the polytechnic across the country," Owalo added.

The CS however decried the wanton destruction of the environment in most parts of Siaya county through unregulated mining activities.

He said the are plans to come up with legislation that will regulate mining activities and ensure mining becomes a gainful economic activity for the locals as well as preserving the environment.

"We want to come up with legislation that will regulate the mining of gold. Currently,  mining is done haphazardly. The mining pits are left dangerously without backfilling," he said.

The CS noted that the UDA  leaders will continue to  dialogue with the people of Nyanza to work closely with the government.

"We just want to talk to our people and convince them to join UDA. We won't use force or coerce anyone to join UDA but our people must change tact, " Owalo emphasised.

"We can't continue to use demonstration as a strategy to gain power," he said.

He said they will talk to those in charge of recruitment to ensure the youth in the area are recruited into the armed forces.

"We will win in 2027 and we want the people of Nyanza to be part of that government," he said.

He appealed to the Nyanza church leader to continue praying for the government saying that the Kenya Kwanza administration will continue to work with the church.

"We want peace and unity and an environment that will enable investments to thrive," he said.

Owalo noted that the stalled road projects in the region are revived.

"But as we push to bring development projects to our region,  I want to ask that you give us an enabling environment to allow transformation to take root in Nyanza," Owalo said.

The CS said Nyanza must move away from being in a perpetual state of destructive politics."

"We must shift to development and make development the sole agenda for Luo Nyanza," he said.

"Don't be cheated that there will be any change of government. There will only be other elections in  2027," he said.

Predicting another win for Ruto,  Owalo asked the people of the region to ensure they are part and parcel of that government. 

 "If you don't want to join government then we will bring it to you by way of development, there is no running away this time round," Owalo noted.

"Let's not wait for President Ruto to form another future government with Kenyans from the other regions then you hope to join. Start walking with him now," he said.

The CS  asked the church leadership to include women in church leadership. 

This, he said will enhance development.

Over 300 religious leaders, representing 55 different religious organizations, both Christian and Muslim from the counties of Kisumu, Migori, Siaya and Homabay attended the Saturday meeting.

The religious leaders urged the region to support the government of the day under the leadership of  President  William Ruto to foster accelerated development, peace and national harmony among the people of Kenya.

Among the church leaders present were Bishop Johannes Angela of the Anglican Church; Father John Pesa of the Coptic Church; Archbishop David Matengo, AIC Church; Archbishop Eng. Caleb Olali, Nomiya Faiths; Archbishop Musa Olanya, Nomiya Church; Archbishop Musa Osewe of Legio Maria; Archbishop Michael Obego of Nomiya Church; Fauzia Shaban of the Muslim Faith; and Elizabeth Okal, SDA Church, among others.

Other leaders present included Siaya County Commissioner, Jim Njoka and George Okungu, former MD, of Kenya Pipeline Company.