Kindiki puts fisheries at the heart of Kenya’s blue economy growth

Kenya is investing in its fisheries and aquaculture sectors to bolster the growth of its blue economy, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki highlighting a rise in fish production and value. Production has increased from 173,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 189,000 metric tonnes in 2025, with the value of production growing from Ksh37 billion to Ksh54 billion over the same period.

Investment in infrastructure, including landing sites, storage facilities, and aquaculture equipment, has been a key driver behind these improvements. The government has completed the Shimoni Port and is seeking an operator for value-addition activities, while nine fish landing sites have been built along the coast and around Lake Victoria, with another nine under expansion.

The government has also supported cage fish farming and provided grants to Beach Management Units to support fishing-related activities. This expansion aims to increase the commercial value of fisheries beyond the sale of freshly caught fish, with improved infrastructure potentially allowing more fish to be handled locally before reaching markets.

The fisheries sector is part of Kenya's broader blue economy, which includes activities linked to its oceans, lakes, rivers, and other aquatic resources. The government plans to further expand these sectors, improve processing and value addition, and increase access to financing and technology, with the ultimate goal of boosting incomes for fishers, fish farmers, and other businesses.

Brief written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.