Ruto pledges to boost coast region's blue economy

By Robert Mutasi 

President William Ruto  has promised to strengthen the blue economy sector as a possible way of increasing national income and improving the lives of coastal residents.

President Ruto put in place effective strategies that will enable the sector to grow rapidly and increase productivity.

Speaking in Mombasa County during the launch of development projects on Friday, July 26, 2024, Ruto said the government has allocated special funds to build infrastructure for marine activities, especially fishing.

The national leader explained that the government has issued a check of 1.7 billion shillings that will benefit about 612 groups from five coastal counties.

"I have a check for 1.7 billion shillings, that money will go to 612 groups that belong to five counties on the mainland," said President Ruto.

In addition, the President said that the money is expected to benefit 19,000 residents.

He emphasized that the program will enable them to change the income levels of the residents and thus improve their living standards.

The government provided five fish landing sites in coastal areas which cost 1.2 billion and are expected to be built in five coastal counties.

"We are building a fish landing site at Mwaepe in Ukunda and here in Kidongo, Mombasa. This fish landing site in Mombasa will cost 250 million which will benefit the fishermen here in Mombasa," promised the President.

In Kilifi, the landing sites will be located at Kipini while in Lamu it will be built in the Mukowe area.

"Today we have handed over the fish landing sites and in the next 8 months we will come back here to start those fish landing sites so that our fishermen can use them in running their businesses and help us," he stated.

Government is set to build 3 markets of selling fishes in Likoni, Malindi and Kibuyuni respectively.

The President added that the fish market will help the people to sell their fish and is also one way to solve the problem of hunger in the nation of Kenya.

By strengthening activities and quality services in the blue economy sector, Ruto assured coastal workers that the government will build a National Marine Culture Resource and Managing Center at a cost of 1.4 billion.

The institute will provide special training on blue economy to make sure we have youths that have knowledge, skills, and competence.

"We need the men and women with relevant training skills and competencies to make sure that we unlock the huge potential that we have in the blue economy sector for the Republic of Kenya," stated Ruto.

The government has promised to provide 25 deep sea fishing boats within four months that will enhance adequate fish supplies in the market.

Government set aside 600 million shillings for the entire process of purchasing deep sea boats.

The government granted licenses to operate deep sea industrial vessel to do deep sea industrial fishing that anticipates to produce more than 10000 tonnes of fishes every year.

The deep sea fishing expects to generate a profit of 4 billion shillings every year.

Ruto assured coastal residents that they will receive between 12 and 15 deep sea industrial vessels as one way of improving coastal region economy.

According to President Ruto, the blue economy enhances the nation's income from 20 billion shillings to 120 billion shillings every year.