The government has disbursed Ksh3.2 billion in grants to Beach Management Units (BMUs) in the last two years to the five counties bordering the Indian Ocean in the coastal region, according to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

The five counties include Tana River, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Lamu.

Speaking at Jilore Grounds in Kilifi County during the economic empowerment programme on Saturday, July 5, 2025, Kindiki revealed that the disbursement aims to boost the economy.

“President William Ruto’s government is the first to invest in fisheries and the blue economy. The government has disbursed Ksh3.2 billion in grants to Beach Management Units in the last two years alone in all five counties in the coastal region bordering the Indian Ocean,” he stated.

Further, he stated that the government is constructing a fish landing site in Kilifi under the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project.

He stated that the landing sites aim to enhance the management of priority fisheries and increase access to complementary livelihood activities for coastal fishing communities.

Kilifi Central landing site

The Kilifi central fish landing site entails the construction of a modern fish banda equipped with an ice flake machine, a cold storage room, a fish gear mending shed, a fish market, and a floating jetty, among other facilities.

The construction of the Ksh275 million Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site at the old ferry in Kilifi town, Kilifi County, commenced in March 2025.

Speaking during his inspection of the landing site in July 2024, President Ruto stated that the government has been investing in the blue economy along the Coast to increase residents’ income.

“Complete value-added equipment and coolers will reduce losses and increase the income of fishing communities,” he said.

“At the same time, plans to build three fish markets in Likoni, Malindi, and Kibuyuni are at an advanced stage as well as the construction of a National Center for Marine Cultural Resources and Studies in Shimoni,” he stated.

To demonstrate the government’s determination to develop blue economy resources, President Ruto revealed that the government had approved the first deep-sea vessel for industrial fishing.

“Our goal is to ensure that the blue economy improves our country’s income from Ksh20 billion per year to Ksh120 billion,” he said.