CS Joho launches Norad grant, Kakamega fish market to boost aquaculture

KENYA – Hon. Ali Hassan Joho, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, visited Vihiga County on 28th January to launch the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) grant by signing an MoU with Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber K. Ottichilo.

This initiative aims to boost aquaculture development in Vihiga, Nyeri, and Migori counties under the Advancing Resilient and Nutrition-Sensitive Smallholder Aquaculture (ARNSA) programme.

Through this programme, Vihiga County will receive KES 69.76 million (US$538,687) to support smallholder fish farmers.

The launch event in Vihiga, attended by Principal Secretary Betsy Njagi, Vihiga County Executive Committee Members, and representatives from the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), including Mr Sammy Macaria, the Programme Coordinator, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting smallholder fish farmers. 

In his address, the Cabinet Secretary highlighted aquaculture as a crucial driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security. He commended Vihiga County for its outstanding efforts in advancing aquaculture development, setting a strong example for other regions.

The Norad-funded ARNSA programme aims to improve smallholder aquaculture productivity and resilience by strengthening technical support, capacity building, and innovative market approaches such as smart kiosks. 

Special emphasis is being placed on increasing opportunities for women and youth through collaborations with Aquaculture Service Enterprises (ASEs).

Additionally, the programme seeks to contribute to policy development and enhance nutritional resources by reviewing existing booklets to address emerging issues.

The Norad grant will support the broader ABDP initiative, which is a joint effort by the Government of Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). 

ABDP is being implemented in 15 counties, targeting 35,500 households with a total financing of USD 144.5 million. 

The programme focuses on enhancing smallholder aquaculture production and value chain development through infrastructure support, training, and financial empowerment.

Launch of Kakamega fresh fish market 

On the same day, CS Joho presided over the launch of the fresh fish market in Kakamega County, a crucial development under the ABDP programme. 

This initiative is part of a larger effort to construct 10 fish markets across implementing counties, ensuring smallholder farmers have access to stable and structured markets. 

Fish cages and landing sites will be constructed instead of markets in five riparian counties—Kisumu, Siaya, Busia, Migori, and Homabay.

During the event, the government disbursed KES 124 million (US$957,529) in grants to fish farmers across 15 counties, with Kakamega receiving KES 18.17 million (US$138,996). 

These grants will support Smallholder Aquaculture Groups (SAGs), Aquaculture Support Enterprises (ASEs), and Aquaculture Field Schools (AFSs) in areas such as pond digging, fish feed production, value addition, and transportation.

CS Joho highlighted the government’s investment in aquaculture, stating that KES 1.6 billion has been allocated to build landing sites equipped with ice-making machines and cooling systems. 

Additionally, KES 70 million (US$540,540) is being used to construct the 10 fish markets, ensuring sufficient market infrastructure to accommodate increased production. 

The government also plans to invest KES 100 million(US$772,200) in high-quality fingerling production and KES 359 (US$2.77) million in procuring fish cages for riparian communities.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa lauded the initiative, noting that the ABDP programme has significantly revived fish farming in the region. 

He emphasised that the programme has supported 2,885 level-one farmers with essential inputs such as predator nets, PVC liners, fingerlings, and fish feeds, while also establishing 87 Aquaculture Smallholder Groups (ASGs) and 90 Aquaculture Small Enterprises (ASEs).