HOMA BAY – The Kenyan government has declared the blue economy a key pillar of the country’s economic future, tapping into the vast potential of its lakes, rivers, and coastline to create jobs, fight inequality, and promote sustainable development.
Principal Secretary for Blue Economy, Betsy Muthoni, called it “the new frontier” as she outlined the government’s renewed focus on water-based industries from fish farming to eco-tourism during a televised interview on Monday night.
“We have communities now empowered to do sports fishing and eco-tourism,” said Muthoni during the Sema na Spokes programme, hosted by Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on KBC Channel 1.
“The Blue Economy is the new frontier.”
As the country prepares for Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay on 1 June, Muthoni highlighted the region’s growing significance in the national conversation around sustainable development. The government, she said, has prioritised drafting policy frameworks and finalising long-term masterplans for both Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana.
Muthoni confirmed that the blue economy contributed KSh37.4 billion to Kenya’s GDP in the last financial year, with aquaculture alone accounting for around KSh8.7 billion. Those numbers, she said, are just the beginning.
To boost output, the government is investing in large-scale fish production. A new Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Kabonyo, valued at KSh1.3 billion, is expected to produce up to seven million fingerlings every quarter. These will be used in cage culture farms and to restock Lake Victoria.
“This centre will be a game-changer for aquaculture, not just for Homa Bay but for the country,” said Muthoni.
Beyond economics, Muthoni was candid about the challenges facing women working in Kenya’s fisheries. She acknowledged that many have long endured exploitation and poor working conditions.
“We are supporting women in the fisheries sector to have quality working conditions,” she said.
“We are also working on tackling issues such as sexual exploitation, which has plagued women in this sector for years.”
The department is also working to improve oversight. Kenya is deploying patrol boats and satellite monitoring to crack down on illegal fishing and protect marine biodiversity.
In addition to fisheries, Muthoni hinted at broader ambitions including a focus on carbon-efficient container terminal operations in partnership with other sectors. These efforts aim to reduce emissions and improve last-mile infrastructure around ports.
Meanwhile, small-scale artisanal miners another group often overlooked are being encouraged to form cooperatives and comply with new licensing rules aimed at curbing illegal mining and improving environmental standards.
Kenya’s push into the blue economy comes as part of a wider effort to diversify its economy and spread development more evenly. Homa Bay, once seen as a peripheral county, is now at the heart of a new national strategy one that, if successful, may help turn water into wealth.
