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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government intends to have the blue economy contribute at least Ksh150 billion in the next two years.

Speaking during the inspection of the Shimoni Fish Port currently under construction in Kwale County on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the DP affirmed the government’s commitment to expand the blue economy value chains to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current annual 37 billion Kenya shillings to 80 billion Kenya shillings by 2026.

“The Kenya Kwanza Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) Plan targets to expand the contribution of the Blue Economy value chains to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 37 billion Kenya shillings currently to 80 billion Kenya shillings annually by 2026 and thereafter to 150 billion Kenya shillings by 2027,” the DP said.

Kindiki also issued an update on the Shimoni project saying it is set for completion on March 15, 2025.

SHIMONI, KWALE COUNTY, KENYA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025

The Government is committed to empowering the people of Kenya by boosting livelihoods, job creation and revitalisation of critical value chains that contribute to wealth generation and overall economic development.

The… pic.twitter.com/5ONN9hBP9j

— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) January 7, 2025

He also expressed optimism that the anticipated project will create employment, positively impacting the local community.

“The 2.6 billion Kenya shillings Shimoni Fish Port, expected to be complete by March 2025 encompasses the construction of a modern jetty, fish landing site, a warehouse to host a fish processing plant, a cold storage and ice making plant, a fish meat plant and other support amenities.

“Once operational, the Shimoni Fish Port will create jobs and enhance household incomes, impacting positively on the local community,” Kindiki added.

He further disclosed that the government plans to disburse capital and operational grants to fisherfolk to assist them purchase modern deep-sea fishing boats and gear to ensure maximum use of the blue economy resources.