Mining and Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho has defended the stalled Sh2.5 billion Kabonyo Kanyagwal aquaculture fisheries project, attributing delays to bureaucracy in government.
Joho said the construction of the multi-million shilling project had stalled due to delays in obtaining the necessary approvals from the National Environment Management Authority.
He said the contractor had already secured the required materials but faced obstacles due to what he described as 'frustration' from Nema.
"The project had already been planned, agreement signed, designed completed and a contractor brought on board. But it hit a snag due to delays in obtaining the necessary approvals."
The CS criticised the lack of cooperation among different government agencies, stressing it is crucial for all departments to work together to ensure the success of state projects.
"The contractor has struggled significantly to get Nema approvals, some people there are forgetting that this project belongs to the government and the people, " he said.
Speaking in Kisumu when he toured fish landing sites in Olga Beach, the CS added that the unnecessary delays were hindering development.
He urged Nema and other institutions like the National Construction Authority to expedite approvals and avoid causing set backs for contractors.
Joho said the government remained committed to the projects completion despite the challenges encountered.
"I have instructed that within this week, these excuses must end. Nema officials we must respect each other, I will not allow anyone to delay projects in my department," he said.
The CS also emphasised the importance of coordination between the national and county governments to support such projects.
He said when President William Ruto returns to the region, he intents to showcase the progress made on the project.
"The public does not understand these kinds of delays, they only see that work is not being done. It's very difficult to explain to them that approvals have delayed or are still pending."
The government has recently come under fire for launching projects that some labelled as 'white elephant'.
Ruto led a groundbreaking exercise for the construction of an aquaculture research centre at Kabonyo Kanyagwal in Kisumu, which was to provide fingerlings to enhance fishing prospects across Lake Victoria
The project once completed was expected to boost a fingerlings production unit, aquaculture resource centre, Nile Perch multiplication centre and the Kenya Fishing School.
It is also expected to facilitate training, research, innovation and best practices in fisheries and aquaculture through demonstrations and incubations.
The centre will produce up to seven million fingerlings per quarter to satisfy the market demands and supplement Sagana Aquaculture Research Centre in Kirinyaga county.
The project will be a game changer for the sector as the government moves to boost fish production in the country.
