Written by Lisa Murimi
The government has earmarked Sh2.6 billion for the construction of the Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County, aiming to rejuvenate the coastal fishing industry and bolster the blue economy’s contribution to the national GDP.
Scheduled for completion by March 2025, the state-of-the-art facility will include a modern jetty, fish landing and processing facilities, cold storage units, and an ice-making factory.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, inspecting the project on Tuesday, highlighted its transformative potential.
“This port is not just a fishing hub; it is an economic lifeline for the coastal region and the entire nation,” he said.
The port is projected to increase the blue economy’s GDP contribution from Sh37 billion to Sh80 billion annually by 2026 and Sh150 billion by 2027.
The project aligns with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) Plan.
To support local fisherfolk, the government will provide financial grants for deep-sea fishing vessels and equipment, promoting sustainable resource utilization.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani praised the initiative, citing its potential to create jobs and improve livelihoods.
Senior officials, including Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, pledged timely delivery of the project to maximize its economic and social impact.
