The government will build a fish landing site in Wichlum in Siaya County at a cost of Sh100 million, President William Ruto has announced.
Speaking at the Piny Luo Cultural Festival in Siaya County on Thursday, Ruto said the project aims to support fishing activities in the area.
“Right there in Wichlum, we will be building a fish landing site at a cost of Sh100 million to support the community as part of taking this fishing tradition to the next level,” he said.
Wichlum Beach Market has a community of over 8,000 residents and traders who are heavily dependent on fishing for their livelihoods.
Small-scale fishermen in this area are estimated to number around 320, of whom 180 are active members of the Wichlum Cooperative Society.
They operate over 100 non-mechanised canoes, of which half are operated by cooperative members.
The fish receiving station, covering 89.6 m2, is an open type shed with reinforced concrete flooring and galvanised iron roofing over a wooden truss.
Fish landing centres or sites are associated with small-scale marine and inland fisheries.
They provide a location for first point of sale for products and provide a place where fishers can leave their boats and obtain supplies such as food, fuel and ice. Many landing centres have developed in association with local communities.
Fish landing sites influence how fish and fish products are handled and traded, and hence the food loss and waste (FLW) that can occur.
The way in which fish is treated at landing centres has implications for FLW at downstream stages of the value chain.
In his address, Ruto also said the government is keen to expand facilities and institutions that support development.
“Ramogi campus of Nyagoma Technical Training College in honour of this cultural event and in the presence of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda will officially be opened today,” he said.
Ruto said the campus, built at Sh400 million, will immediately admit students beginning this January.
