Kenya to construct a US$19.3M fisheries centre in Kisumu

KENYA – The Kenyan government has begun building a US$19.3 million Fisheries Centre of Excellence in Kabonyo Kanyagwal, Kisumu County.

Betsy Njagi, head of the Department of Blue Economy and Fisheries, confirmed the development in a statement reported by the Kenya News Agency on February 17.

The facility is set to be completed by December and is part of efforts to improve fisheries infrastructure around Lake Victoria.

One of its key features will be modern hatcheries with the capacity to produce up to seven million fingerlings every three months for fish farming and replenishing fish stocks in the lake.

Additionally, the centre will include a fish feed mill, a training school, and research facilities aimed at advancing aquaculture practices.

Authorities expect the initiative to strengthen the skills of individuals working in fisheries and aquaculture while promoting sustainable fishing in the region.

Regular restocking of fish in Lake Victoria is seen as crucial for maintaining fish populations, given that the lake is the primary fishing source in the country.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that in 2023, Lake Victoria contributed 44% of Kenya’s total fish haul, which amounted to 161,307 tonnes.

Kenya has long faced a fish production shortfall, and officials believe this project will help reduce reliance on imports over time.

Current state of the industry

The country’s annual fish supply gap stands at approximately 365,000 tonnes, a challenge that the new centre aims to address.

In 2023, Kenya’s fish production was about 161,000 metric tons, with a production value of 35.9 billion Kenyan shillings. 

This was a decrease from 2022, when production was about 174,000 metric tons.

In the same year, Kenya exported US$4.76 billion worth of fresh and chilled fish fillets to countries around the world. 

The top destinations for Kenya’s fish exports include the Netherlands, Italy, Israel, Romania, and Greece. 

To be specific, the Netherlands accounted for 28% of Kenya’s total fish exports, making it the leading destination for the country’s fish products. 

Romania followed with a 15.1% share, while Israel received 14.6% of the exports. 

Italy’s share stood at 12.8%, and Greece imported 6.71% of Kenya’s fish during the same period.

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