In a shocking revelation that left many Kenyans scratching their heads, MPs were stunned to discover that the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs spent a whopping Ksh1.6 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year on a project to count fish in the Indian Ocean. Yes, you read that right—fish counting.
During a heated parliamentary session, Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho stood his ground, explaining that the expenditure was part of a global practice aimed at assessing fish stocks. According to Joho, this fish stock assessment is crucial for attracting investors and establishing a marine licensing system.
“Out of that assessment, what was the end product? Do you have anything to give us?” asked an exasperated MP, summing up the feelings of many Kenyans who are grappling with high taxes and the rising cost of living. “We gave you Ksh1.2 billion in the first year, and now, after spending Ksh1.6 billion, we expect results. We want to know how many Tuna or Tilapia we have, not just numbers in a budget.”
Plenty of Fish in the Sea
But hold your breath—this fish-counting saga is far from over. It turns out the assessment will be conducted in three phases and is scheduled for completion in the 2025/26 financial year, with a total projected cost of Ksh3.6 billion. That’s right: Ksh3.6 billion to count fish.
Documents tabled before the House committee chaired by Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen show that Ksh3.6 billion had been allocated to the Ministry for this three-year project. The first phase, which began on July 1, 2023, and ended on June 30, 2024, alone gobbled up Ksh1.6 billion.
Kenyans Are Not Amused
Unsurprisingly, the public is having none of it. With the harsh economic realities brought on by the Finance Bill, many Kenyans are asking themselves: “Do we really need billions spent on counting fish when we’re struggling to afford basic needs?”
Social media has been flooded with humorous yet biting comments. Some have joked that maybe the fish have better lives than most Kenyans, while others have quipped that they should apply for a job as a “fish counter” to make ends meet.
Whether this hefty expenditure will be justified by any tangible results remains to be seen, but for now, the mood in the country is clear—something smells fishy.
