Government allocates Sh2.6 billion for Shimoni fish port to boost blue cconomy
The government has set aside Sh2.6 billion for the construction of the Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County, an ambitious project aimed at revitalizing the coastal fishing industry and doubling the blue economy’s contribution to the national GDP.
Slated for completion by March 2025, the port will feature a modern jetty, fish landing and processing facilities, meat plants, cold storage units, and an ice-making factory.
The Shimoni Fish Port is expected to transform the coastal region by creating employment opportunities, increasing household incomes, and spurring economic activity.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who inspected the site on Tuesday, underscored the significance of the project to the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) Plan.
“This port is not just a fishing hub; it is an economic lifeline for the coastal region and the entire nation,” Kindiki said.
He added that the port is projected to increase the blue economy’s GDP contribution from the current Sh37 billion to Sh80 billion annually by 2026 and further to Sh150 billion by 2027.
In addition to infrastructure development, the government is offering financial grants to fisherfolk to purchase modern deep-sea fishing vessels and equipment. Kindiki emphasized that this initiative would empower local communities and optimize the utilization of marine resources.
The project is expected to directly benefit the Shimoni community by improving the livelihoods of local fisherfolk and creating job opportunities.
Local leaders, including Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, welcomed the development, hailing it as a transformative project for the region.
“The Shimoni Fish Port will not only uplift the fishing industry but also significantly enhance the lives of our people,” Achani said.
Deputy President Kindiki was accompanied by Ali Hassan Joho, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Maritime Affairs, and the Blue Economy, and Principal Secretary Betsy Njagi, who reiterated their commitment to ensuring the project is completed on schedule.
“We are determined to have this facility operational as planned. It will bolster the fishing industry and spur the growth of associated industries in the region,” Kindiki assured.
The Shimoni Fish Port is part of the government’s broader strategy to harness the blue economy’s potential for wealth creation, job opportunities, and sustainable economic growth.
