Kenya Advances Leadership in the Blue Economy with National Strategy
Kenya is taking significant steps to advance its leadership in the Blue Economy through a comprehensive National Blue Economy Strategy, nearing completion after a consultative process involving key stakeholders. Since the Nairobi Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in 2018, Kenya has been at the forefront of initiatives to develop the Blue Economy, which is seen as
New Co-Management plans to promote sustainable fisheries
Eight new fisheries Joint Co-Management Area (JCMA) plans are set for implementation after endorsement by the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) and the five coastal counties. KeFS Director General Mr. Daniel Mungai and County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) in charge of fisheries from Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, and Lamu endorsed the plans in March 2024.
Improving fisheries infrastructure to increase income for communities
Artisanal fishing, a crucial livelihood for many in these areas, faces challenges like post-harvest losses due to inadequate handling, preservation, and marketing infrastructure. These challenges significantly reduce potential earnings for fishing communities. Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project is taking critical steps to support coastal communities by enhancing infrastructure at key fish landing
Kenya closer to getting new Tuna Fisheries Strategy
Kenya’s new National Tuna Strategy has the potential to significantly boost the country’s economy through sustainable tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean. With an estimated 76,200 metric tonnes of tuna available for harvest, the strategy could generate around Ksh22.9 billion, a largely untapped economic opportunity. The strategy, currently nearing completion after a consultative meeting in
Diani conservation group bets on ecotourism
Many of our members do not have alternative sources of income and rely solely on tourism Ocean tours raise awareness about marine conservation among tourists and provide an alternative source of income to fishing for coastal communities. Diani Turtle Conservation Group in Kwale County is running a promising eco-tourism business, thanks to a grant from
Fishing boat brings multiple benefits to self-help group
Swabrina Self-Help Group has seen significant growth in its fishing operations since extending to deeper waters. The group is harvesting more fish of a wider variety than before. Members who are fish traders have a steady supply for their businesses. The Swabrina Self-Help Group, which was founded in 2020, has gone quite well. It was
Women’s group transforming community, one house at a time
A KEMFSED-supported mangrove conservation initiative by a women’s group in Kwale County is yielding benefits for members and the community. The women are not only reafforesting degraded areas but have improved their houses and built a social hall, an important asset for the community. When her daughter started building a family house, Siddhani Athman was
Grant rekindles prawn fishers’ hopes
Matondoni Island in the Lamu archipelago is famous for prawn fishing. But the fishers used to make losses due to preserve their catch and poor transportation to markets. Now that’s all in the past after they acquired a new boat and coolers with a KEMFSED community grant. Deep in the Lamu archipelago is Matondoni Island,
Riziki gets second chance through rearing goats
The story of Riziki Omar is one of resilience and the value of local knowledge among the Aweer, a vulnerable community on Manda Island in Lamu County that relies on subsistence farming and fishing. After the tragic loss of her goats many years back, Riziki has a second chance after receiving goats through a KEMFSED
Foot-fishers no more: Amkeni group beats the odds
Despite having no formal education, Emmanuel Masuko has always believed in the power of people working together and demonstrated great leadership. He has led efforts to uplift the lives of his fellow fishers through the work of Amkeni group, a KEMFED grantee at Old Ferry in Kilifi County. He was among the founders of a
KEMFSED community project grants reach Sh3.3 billion
KEMFSED grants to common interest groups for community projects have reached over Sh3.36 billion, benefitting 1,256 community projects across the five counties participating in the project. This was after President William Ruto presented a cheque for the Sh1.7 billion awarded in the third round of funding to community groups from Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River,
Project Technical Advisory Committee hold quarterly meeting
The Project National Coordinator Patrick Kiara, Deputy Coordinator Susan Otieno, and the component Leads presented the accomplishments of the project, the challenges faced and what had been done to address them. The PTAC provides technical guidance in the implementation of the KEMFSED project. It is chaired by Fisheries and Blue Economy Secretary Rodrick Kundu. The
Women’s group earning more from octopus sales
Thanks to freezers and coolers brought with a KEMFSED grant, a women’s group in Lamu can preserve and transport their catch to markets, turning the tables on middlemen and earning more for their efforts. Shanga Ishakani Women Fishers Group is one of over 60 groups that have benefitted from the community grants. Amina Ahmed has
Group hopes to give back to the community through goat-rearing
Salma cuddles and lovingly strokes a days-old kid, as she watches scores of goats rush out of their large pen. This kid, one of several newborns, heralds a bright future for Salma and other members of Markaz Albayan, a self-help group at Ras Kitao on Manda. The group is defying the odds to keep a
Advances made in preparations for the National Marine Spatial Plan for Kenya
Advances made in preparations for the National Marine Spatial Plan for Kenya Preparations for the development of a National Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Kenya are progressing in earnest after the Cabinet approved the strategic initiative in March, 2024. The MSP initiative is coordinated by Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs working in
Over 300 benefit from scholarships
Mohammed Hassan comes from a family of eight children in Kwale County. Their father is a fishmonger at Shimoni. The money he earns from selling fish is hardly enough for the family’s needs and he has always to keep the children in school. After high school, Mohammed was admitted for a diploma course in Fisheries
KEMFSED team joins community in tree-planting
KEMFSED National Project Coordinator Patrick Kiara joined Kilifi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of fisheries, Dr. C, local leaders and the community in a mangrove tree-planting event at Sita Landing Site in the county. The event was organized by the county jointly with Sita Umoja Creek Self-Help Group, which received a KEMFSED grant
Scholarship ignites Zahra’s passion for pursuing a career in law
Zahra Ahmed, a Form 2 student at Matuga Girls Secondary School, in Magarini sub-county Kilifi, has a burning ambition to create a better future for herself and her community. Growing up in a single-parent household, Zahra has witnessed her mother’s struggles to provide for their family, especially their education. The girl could often miss classes
Aspiring civil engineer’s triumph over adversity
Amos, the youngest of three siblings, was born into a family in Kilifi that knew the harsh realities of financial struggle all too well. He recalls many times when his parents, who rely on seasonal casual work on farms, could not afford regular meals. Despite adversity, Amos’ resolve to succeed in school never wavered. He
KEMFSED grants to community projects reach Sh1.5 billion
KEMFSED grants to common interest groups for community projects have reached just over Sh1.5 billion for 671 community projects. This was after President William Ruto on November 2023, presented a cheque for Sh691 million for common interest groups spread across Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, and Lamu counties. The President presented the cheque at Shimoni