Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has affirmed the government's unwavering commitment to transforming Kenya's economy through the expansion of the Blue Economy, a key pillar of the Kenya Kwanza Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The Deputy President, alongside key government officials, recently visited the Shimoni Fish Port Project in Kwale County, a crucial initiative that is set to revolutionize the nation's maritime sector.
The Shimoni Fish Port, a 2.6 billion Kenya Shillings investment, is expected to be completed by March 2025. The project will feature a modern jetty, fish landing site, a warehouse for a fish processing plant, cold storage and ice-making facilities, and a fish meal plant, among other amenities. The port will serve as a critical infrastructure to harness the full potential of Kenya's Blue Economy, particularly in the fishing sector.
"The Shimoni Fish Port will play a pivotal role in creating jobs, boosting local livelihoods, and enhancing household incomes for the people of Kwale County and the surrounding coastal regions," Deputy President Kindiki said during his visit. "This project aligns with the Kenya Kwanza government’s objective of revitalizing critical value chains, particularly in sectors that directly impact wealth creation and economic development."
The Deputy President further noted that the project is part of the broader vision of expanding the contribution of the Blue Economy value chains to Kenya’s GDP, aiming to increase its contribution from 37 billion Kenya Shillings to 80 billion Kenya Shillings annually by 2026, and 150 billion Kenya Shillings by 2027.
Government leaders present at the site included Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Ali Hassan Joho; Principal Secretary for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Betsy Njagi; Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui; and Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director, Captain William Ruto. Local leaders, including Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, Msambweni MP Faisal Bader, and Lunga Lunga MP Chiforomodo Mangale Munga, were also in attendance.
The government has also committed to empowering the local fishing community through grants to enable fisherfolk to purchase modern deep-sea fishing boats and equipment. This is in a bid to ensure optimal exploitation of the nation's rich marine resources.
"We are investing in the future of Kenya's fishing industry. By equipping our fisherfolk with the necessary tools, we will ensure sustainable practices that will enhance productivity and increase the sector's contribution to the economy," Deputy President Kindiki added.
The Shimoni Fish Port Project is expected to significantly contribute to the realization of the government’s ambitious vision for the Blue Economy, while also fostering the development of the coastal region.
Once completed, the port will transform Shimoni into a strategic maritime hub, creating economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for residents of Kwale and surrounding counties. The Deputy President underscored the government's commitment to seeing the project through to timely completion, enabling its commissioning as scheduled.
The event marked a significant step towards revitalizing Kenya’s Blue Economy, with the Shimoni Fish Port poised to become a cornerstone of the nation's economic growth and development.