Shimoni – The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has completed the construction of the Ksh 2.6 billion Shimoni Fish Port, a project expected to anchor Kenya’s blue economy agenda and unlock job opportunities along the coastal region.
Construction of the port began on October 1, 2022, and concluded after 36 months. The facility was officially handed over to KPA by Southern Engineering Company (SECO), the firm that oversaw its development. The project will be commissioned by President William Ruto on a date to be announced.
Located in Kwale County, the port is designed to support fish landing, processing, and storage. The site includes a modern jetty with a daily handling capacity of 200 metric tons of fish. The facility also features cold storage units and ice plants capable of producing up to 8 tons of ice cubes per day.
According to KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto, the completion of Shimoni Fish Port marks a strategic shift in how Kenya is expanding its port operations.
“This project demonstrates that local contractors are capable of executing complex infrastructure,” Ruto stated. “It also shows our commitment to diversifying port operations beyond traditional cargo handling to include specialized fisheries infrastructure.”
Ruto confirmed that the new port is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs and enhance economic activity in surrounding communities. KPA will invite bids from international firms to operationalize the facility within the next three to six months.
The project is part of KPA’s broader effort to promote sustainable use of marine resources. Officials said the port will help streamline the fisheries value chain, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve earnings for coastal fishers.
The development comes amid rising performance at the Port of Mombasa. In 2024, cargo throughput rose by 14 percent to 40.99 million metric tonnes. Container traffic climbed 24 percent, reaching over 2 million TEUs. That upward trend has continued into 2025, with more than 21.3 million metric tonnes of cargo and 1,012,949 containers handled in the first half of the year.
Ruto linked the growth to increased volumes of dry bulk, liquid bulk, and loose cargo, adding that KPA’s focus remains on boosting operational efficiency across all ports.
“The results we’re seeing reflect years of investment and improvements. The impact is already being felt in trade and job creation,” he said.
KPA emphasized that its future strategy will continue to prioritize infrastructure investment, efficiency in cargo handling, and integration of coastal economies into national development goals.
The Shimoni Fish Port is expected to be a key player in this strategy, with a focus on enhancing food security, trade, and economic resilience through Kenya’s underutilized marine resources.
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