Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government is planning to invest over Ksh600 million in purchasing deep-sea fishing boats, a move aimed at improving fishing activities along the Kenyan coast.
Speaking during his visit to Mombasa, Kindiki explained that the government is working to empower local fishermen by providing them with modern, well-equipped fishing boats.
According to the Deputy President, the new boats will allow fishermen to venture deep into the ocean and stay there for up to a week or more.
Each boat will be capable of accommodating about seven to ten fishermen, giving them the opportunity to fish in deeper waters and bring back larger catches, which will earn them more income.
“This year, we are investing over Ksh600 million to buy deep-sea fishing boats. These boats will be handed over to fishermen so they can go into the deep sea for seven to ten days with crews of about seven to ten people.
When they return, they will have plenty of big fish to sell and make a good living,” Kindiki stated.
During the visit, Kindiki also toured the nearly completed Shimoni Marine Research and Conservation Centre, a major project valued at Ksh1.4 billion.
He explained that the centre will serve multiple purposes. In addition to being a port for both passenger and cargo transport, the facility will also function as a learning and research hub for marine life.
The centre is expected to attract students from across East and Central Africa—including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
These students will have access to training in various marine-related fields, such as sailing, marine science, water transport, and port operations.
The government believes that this initiative will help boost the coastal economy by creating job opportunities and improving skills among the youth.
In addition, Kindiki revealed that the government has already distributed Ksh3.2 billion to fishermen in the region to support their work and improve their livelihoods.
“This project will bring great benefits to the people living along the coast. It’s one of the many efforts by the Kenya Kwanza administration to equip our youth with the skills they need to work in the ocean, either as coxswains, engineers, or port operators,” Kindiki added.
He also mentioned that the government has launched other development projects in various coastal counties, including Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, and Tana River.
These include the construction of modern fish landing sites where fishermen can safely dock and offload their catch.
Kindiki further noted that the Ksh2.6 billion Shimoni Fishing Port in Kwale County is set to begin operations in March 2025.
This state-of-the-art facility will feature a modern jetty, fish processing plants, meat factories, cold storage units, and ice-making factories, all designed to support the fishing industry and improve fish quality for the market.
These initiatives are part of the government’s broader plan to support the blue economy and create more employment and income opportunities for coastal communities.
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