The government has increased allocations for the blue economy sector in a push to cushion and diversify the country’s food security.

While reading the Kenya Kwanza administration’s maiden national budget estimates in parliament, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u proposed an allocation of Sh3.5 billion for Kenya Marine fisheries and socio-economic Development projects.

The Sh3.5 billion is an increase from the 2022/2023 allocation where the government allocated Sh2.8 billion for similar projects.

At the same time, Ndung’u announced an allocation of Sh2.6 billion for aquaculture business development projects to bolster food security sustainability, this being an increase of Sh700 million from previous allocations.

In 2022-2023 budget estimates the government allocated Sh1.9 billion for the Aquaculture Business Development Project.

“The realisation of food and nutrition security, also relies heavily on the sustainable utilisation of blue economy resources to promote this, I propose to the nation assembly to effect budget allocation of Sh2.6 billion for the aquaculture business development projects, Sh3.5 billion for Kenya Marine fisheries and socio-economic Development projects…” the treasury boss stated.

According to the estimates, Sh580 million has been set aside for capacity building in deep sea fishing

Due to insufficient capacity, over the years, Kenya has had to rely on expatriate fishermen and other personnel from countries like Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Namibia, Sierra Leon, Seychelles and other countries to offer specialised manpower in the country’s deep sea fishing industry.