Kwale: Fish farmers in Kwale County are set to experience a significant boost in their operations as the county government embarks on the distribution of equipment aimed at enhancing the processing and storage of fish. This initiative is targeted at local small-scale fish farmers to bolster marine food production and increase household incomes.
According to Kenya News Agency, the equipment being distributed includes freezers, chillers, cooler boxes, energy-saving cooking jikos, frying pans, display boxes, solar-powered systems, lamps, and umbrellas. These tools are expected to mitigate post-harvest losses, increase fishermen’s incomes, and improve market access. The Diani Pastors’ Fellowship Self-Help Group in Ukunda ward, Msambweni Sub-County, is the latest beneficiary of this value addition support.
Kwale’s fisheries sector has faced challenges such as overfishing, illegal fishing, limited funding, and inadequate data collection. With assistance from development partners, these issues are being addressed. Governor Fatuma Achani noted that the equipment would enhance fish storage and hygiene standards, with the broader aim of scaling fish farming in the region.
The support is part of a project by the County Government through the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-economic Development (KEMFSED) Project, funded by the World Bank. The coastal county, in collaboration with KEMFSED, is actively promoting fish farming through aquaculture initiatives and providing grants to crop and fish farmers to overcome financial constraints and boost local production.
Governor Achani, accompanied by County Executive Committee Members Saumu Beja, Michale Mutua, and Francisca Kilonzo, emphasized the importance of the initiative in empowering coastal communities and strengthening the local economy. She advised beneficiaries to make optimal use of the equipment provided.
The KEMFSED project, implemented by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries with World Bank support, is operational from 2020 to 2025 with a budget of Sh.10 billion. It spans the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu, aiming to expand access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants for impoverished and vulnerable households and businesses, contributing to overall socio-economic development.
The partnership between Kwale and the KEMFSED project has been instrumental in empowering fisherfolks by distributing fish fingerlings and other inputs such as fish tanks to support aquaculture and improve food and nutrition security. Small-scale fisherfolks have received multifilament fishing nets, fiberglass fishing boats with outboard engines, cold storage facilities, and other essential equipment to transform fishing into a profitable venture.
Governor Achani announced that under the KEMFSED project, 50 modern fishing boats, eight ecotourism boats, and six seaweed farming boats have been distributed to bolster the local blue economy sector. These efforts aim to improve fish availability, create jobs, and empower fisherfolk by providing modern equipment and resources.
The blue economy encompasses various marine-related sectors that contribute to economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation while ensuring marine ecosystems’ health. Governor Achani highlighted that through the KEMFSED partnership, targeted support is unlocking fish farming’s potential as a source of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic resilience.
The county has also established nine modern fish landing sites equipped with cold storage and handling facilities to maintain fish freshness and reduce post-harvest losses. Additionally, 60 freshwater ponds and 70,000 Nile tilapia and catfish fingerlings have been distributed to small-scale fish farmers to enhance aquaculture.
Danny Nganyi, Chairman of the Diani Pastors Association, expressed gratitude for the timely support, noting that the fish project will enhance their livelihoods. He commended the county government and the KEMFSED project for their commitment to expanding the fishing and aquaculture sectors, emphasizing that the equipment will help secure the future of local fish farmers and build strong communities.
