Uhuru Unveils New Measures to Boost Fisheries Sector

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday announced a raft of measures to boost the Fisheries Sector.

The move is a part of ongoing sustained Government efforts to reposition the Blue Economy as a key driver of the Kenyan economy.

The new measures were unveiled after President Uhuru convened a meeting at State House, Mombasa.

In attendance were Cabinet Secretaries(C. S) ; Ukur Yattani (C. S National Treasury) , Peter Munya (C. S Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries), James Macharia (C. S Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works) and the Principal Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue Economy, Prof. Micheni Ntiba.

The measures include speeding the completion of development works at the Liwatoni Fish Landing Site with the project set to be completed by March 2021.

“With the completion of the Liwatoni Fishing Port in March 2021, all fishing vessels operating in Kenyan waters will be required to land their catch at Kenyan Ports. Vessels found to be in contravention of the requirement will have their licenses revoked, “ Kanze Dena, the State House spokesperson, said through a statement to media houses.

In addition, the Head of State directed the National Treasury to release funds for the construction of an ultra-modern Tuna fish factory at the Liwatoni Fishing Port as part of value addition measures.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries will train 1,000 Kenyan fishermen by June 2021, who will be absorbed by vessels operating within Kenyan waters in a move aimed at increasing the sector’s capacity.

President Uhuru also encouraged investors interested in the country’s expanding Blue Economy to take advantage of the reforms in the sector by investing in Kenya.

The latest development follows the government’s move to set aside KSh 11. 9 billion to build capacity and improve fishing fleets into the deep sea with a view to ensuring Kenya benefits from is blue economy resources.