Kindiki: State building 12 fish landing sites to enhance fisherfolk income

 Deputy President Kithure Kindiki inspects the ongoing construction of Kabonyo Fisheries Aquaculture and Training Centre in Nyando, Kisumu County/DPCS

The government is constructing 12 fish landing sites and an Aquaculture Training Centre to boost the fishing sector in five counties around Lake Victoria to ensure better earnings to fisherfolk and other beneficiaries in the value chain.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the administration is keen on enhancing the incomes of fishermen and fish farmers through wide-ranging interventions set to turnaround the blue economy sector in the region.

The DP on Tuesday inspected ongoing construction of Kabonyo Fisheries Aquaculture and Training Centre in Nyando, Kisumu County affirming the government’s resolve to make the sector more productive and beneficial.

Already three fish landing sites have been completed in Siaya, Busia and Migori counties. Construction of nine more will commence soon: one in Migori and Busia, two in Homa Bay, two in Kisumu and three in Siaya.

Each of the sites is costing between Sh150 million and Sh160 million.  

“The sites are critical in ensuring standardized reception of fish from the lake, preservation in cold rooms and storage in preparation for sale.

"We are keen on improving the earnings of those in the fishing and blue economy sectors as promised in the Kenya Kwanza manifesto,” DP said.

The Sh1.3 billion Aquaculture Centre is a flagship project aimed at rejuvenating the blue economy value chains through provision of training facilities and rearing of better fish species. Once complete, it will provide at least 28 million fingerlings annually for farmers and restocking of the lake.

“This centre will be a place for nurturing, selecting and preparing fresh-water fingerlings. The fingerlings will be reared and then given to farmers for aquaculture or cage-culture. The fingerlings will also be used to restock Lake Victoria,” DP added.

The over Sh3 billion investment targets revitalizing the critical sector that is a source of income for millions of Kenyans. 

“We want to reach out to farmers and help them maximize on the blue economy sector. Going forward, fish, fisheries and the blue economy will bring more income to the people of Kisumu, Saiya, Busia, Migori and Homa Bay through Lake Victoria,” assured Prof. Kindiki.

The Deputy President also said the government has granted over Sh124 million to beach management units in the five counties with another Sh205 million in the pipeline.

“We will keep on empowering the fishermen and the units so they have better facilities and better prepared for their trade. Our focus is on strengthening the economic possibilities for local communities around the lake,” he added.

The DP said it is time to serve the people indicating commitment to deliver promises made to the people.

“It is time to work for the people. We are extremely focused. We are on a mission. We don’t want to mix politics and development. Time for politics will come,” he stated.