Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government has invested more than KSh 7 billion to accelerate the growth of the Blue Economy sector in counties bordering Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean, a move aimed at transforming the livelihoods of fisherfolk and promoting sustainable economic development.
Kindiki spoke on Monday On Monday in Alego Usonga, Siaya County, Kindiki where he told the people that the money will be utilized to finance fisheries infrastructure and capacity in the two regions.
He said the government has invested in the development of Blue Economy sector over KSh 7 billion to boost the growth of the sector in the counties that surround Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean, a move meant to change the livelihoods of fisherfolk and create a sustainable economic development.
Kindiki stated that KSh 3.2 billion had already been paid out in Beach Management Units (BMUs), KSh 3.1billion was used to construct fish landing sites and KSh 1.3billion was used to establish the Kabonyo Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in the Kisumu County.
Kindiki said that in Siaya County alone the cost of the Luanda Kotieno Fish Landing Site, which has been constructed is KSh 134 million, and two other at Wich Lum and Kokach cost KSh 150 million apiece are currently under construction.
Other investments of the national government to the tune of more than KSh 35 billion are also bearing fruits in Siaya County beyond the Blue Economy projects.
They comprise building of the markets, cheap and institutional houses, a 550 million Siaya stadium and 500 million upgrading of the Siaya County referral hospital.
Kindiki also observed that in the current last-mile electricity connection initiative, the KSh 1.5 billion projects are on track and are anticipated to serve 16,200 more households to the national grid.
The Deputy President was making the comments when he was involved in a resource mobilization exercise in aid of Siaya County Boda Boda SACCOs.
Siaya Governor James Orengo, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Senators Oburu Oginga and Danson Mungatana, MPs Samuel Atandi, Aduma Owuor, Gideon Ochanda, Peter Masara, Rozah Buyu and Emmanuel Wangwe among other leaders were in attendance.
There were also Royal Media services chairman Dr. S.K. Macharia, the aide to the President Farouk Kibet, presidential advisor Jaoko Oburu, Boda Boda safety association of Kenya national chairman Kevin Mubadi.
