Cabinet Secretary in charge of Mining, Maritime Affairs, and Blue Economy Hassan Joho and Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani have launched the construction of a multimillion modern fish landing site at Mwaepe, Kinondo ward in Msambweni Sub-county.
The 256 million project funded by the World Bank implemented by The Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project through Kwale County Government is expected to boost artisanal fisheries along the South coast part of Kenya.
The project entails the construction of a modern fish banda with an ice plant, a gear mending shed, a modern boat yard, a functional beach management unit offices, a conference room, two restaurant blocks retail business stalls, and an ablution block.
It will boost fish storage and marketing of fish products and reduce post-harvest losses.
Addressing fish folks and residents of Mwaepe in Kinondo Ward, Joho commended the Kwale County Government under Governor Fatuma Achani’s efforts on promoting the blue economy sector through the issuance of modern fishing boats, fishing gear and accessories that have boosted the fishing industry in Kwale.
Joho further said that the peaceful environment has prompted the national government to put up a multi-billion project in the blue economy sector in Kwale County as part of President Ruto’s administration’s efforts to provide employment opportunities for the Kwale youths.
Among the projects Joho enlisted include the Construction of Shimoni Fishing Port, and Maritime Institute at Chitsakamatsa, and the Mariculture Institute at Shimoni.
Joho urged the relevant bodies in Kwale County including the provincial administration, and Kwale County Government to work hand in hand to ensure all the grabbed fish landing sites are reclaimed back to the fish folks and users putting on notice on Kwale County land Grabbers that their days are numbered.
“There is a deliberate intention by President William Ruto’s administration to sort out land tussles in the Coast region and for this reason, I fully support the Ruto Administration,” Joho said.
On his part, Kwale Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo who represented Fatuma Achani said that the Achani administration has made tremendous progress in promoting the fishing communities in Kwale County.
The Supply of 59 modern fishing boats and 2 ecotourism vessels operating in Diani and Shimoni has not only boosted artisanal fisheries but also tourism in the region with about 1500 households reaping from the county efforts.
Echoing Joho’s sentiments on land tussles in the Coast region, Chirema said that the County government was able to reclaim the Mwaepe Fish Landing site land from a grabber and that the county has issued the Mwaepe Beach Management unit with a valid title deed.
“For the past two years, we have reclaimed several parcels of land in Kwale that were irregularly acquired including Chale Island, Kisite Mpunguti, and two beach plots, and the war on land grabbing is still on course under Achani Administration.” Chirema Said.
Msambweni Member of Parliament Feisal Badar and Kinondo Member of County Assembly Juma Maone commended Kwale County Government for their close working relationship with the National Government that has fostered development in Kwale.
