Kenya’s first-ever fish port, located in Shimoni, Kwale County, is now complete and will be operational within the next six months. The Ksh2.6 billion facility, constructed over three years, was officially handed over to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) on Tuesday by Southern Engineering Company (Seco).
The landmark project is expected to transform the country’s blue economy and uplift the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lunga Lunga sub-county, KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto described the port as a significant milestone in Kenya’s efforts to harness maritime resources.
“This momentous occasion marks a major step forward in our journey to supporting maritime infrastructure and the development of the blue economy,” said Ruto. “We are proud that a Kenyan firm has delivered this state-of-the-art facility.”
Ruto announced that KPA will soon float an international tender to identify a qualified operator for the port, noting that both local and global bidders will be invited.
He said the Shimoni fish port symbolises a strategic shift by KPA from traditional cargo handling to specialised maritime services that support the fisheries sector.
“This facility is not just about docking ships — it includes a fish processing unit, cold storage plant, ice plant, and warehouse. It will support the entire fisheries value chain while creating up to 1,000 jobs,” Ruto explained.
The port is equipped to handle 200 metric tons of fish daily, and its ice plant has a capacity of producing eight metric tons of ice cubes per day. The jetty measures 75 metres in length and 30 metres in width, while the quay is 135 metres long and equally 30 metres wide.
Construction began in October 2022 following benchmarking visits by KPA officials to similar ports in Spain, Morocco, and Seychelles.
Seco General Manager Abdalla Athman said the project faced some technical delays but was successfully completed, reinforcing the capacity of local firms to deliver major infrastructure.
“This project will drive economic growth in the region. Many businesses will emerge, and local fishermen will benefit from modern facilities,” he said. Athman noted that Alpha Group, affiliated with Seco, will be among the firms utilising the port due to its involvement in fish handling.
He praised the project as a showcase of Kenyan expertise and a testament to the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” initiative.
The Shimoni fish port will be officially commissioned at a later date.
