Aquaculture summit anchors Kenya’s Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay

KENYA – Kenya’s 2025 Madaraka Day celebrations have been preceded by a landmark summit on aquaculture and the blue economy, drawing national attention to the immense but underexploited potential of Kenya’s aquatic resources. 

The three-day conference, running from May 28 to 30 at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay, has convened government leaders, development partners, fish farmers, academics, and maritime stakeholders in preparation for the June 1 national holiday, themed “Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.”

Speaking at the summit, President William Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to develop Kenya’s blue economy into a transformative sector for food security, trade, and employment.

“We want to make the blue economy a powerful driver of Kenya’s economic future. That is why we are investing in infrastructure, innovation and institutions that will make the most of our water resources,” reads Ruto’s message concerning the blue economy. 

Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho echoed this vision, emphasising that sustainable aquaculture and fisheries are central to unlocking economic opportunity for lakeside communities. 

“This summit is a demonstration of our collective commitment to unlocking the immense potential of the Blue Economy. It provides a platform to deliberate on sustainable practices, investment opportunities, and innovative solutions that will propel our nation towards a Blue Economy revolution,” said Joho.

The summit was also graced by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who noted the strategic importance of Lake Victoria to the region’s economy. 

“As the host county, we are honoured to lead this national conversation. Homa Bay County is strategically positioned to be at the forefront of Blue Economy development. We are committed to supporting sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and maritime transport,” she said.

Spotlight on cage farming and partnerships

One of the key highlights of the summit was a tour of fish cages installed in Lake Victoria under the Aquaculture Business Development Program (ABDP), a government initiative co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). 

The program aims to empower smallholder fish farmers by providing production inputs and market access and imparting knowledge to different players along the fisheries and aquaculture value chains in the country.

During the tour, summit delegates saw firsthand the potential of modern cage aquaculture to boost yields and incomes. The initiative was lauded as a model for sustainable development, blending government support with donor partnerships.

Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy Betsy Njagi acknowledged the role of development partners in catalysing growth in the sector. 

“I took the opportunity to express my gratitude to our development partners, particularly the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Gatsby Africa, the World Bank and the County Government of Homa Bay for their invaluable support, which complements our efforts to empower communities such as the provision of cages, fish feeds, fingerlings and the construction of fish landing sites,” she stated on social media.

The summit also featured discussions on policy innovations, value chain development, and youth participation in the maritime economy. 

Stakeholders from IFAD, Gatsby Africa, and various national and county government agencies were present, alongside members of parliament and senior officials.

Toward a Thriving Blue Economy

As Homa Bay prepares to host the Madaraka Day celebrations, attention is squarely focused on the future of Kenya’s blue economy. Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, generates over Ksh2.32 billion (US$800 million) annually from fisheries and supports more than 800,000 livelihoods. 

However, the sector’s contribution to GDP remains modest at 2.5%, with vast potential still untapped.

Kenya’s aquaculture output currently stands at 15,000 tons annually, well below its estimated capacity of 100,000 tons. Bridging this gap could create up to 300,000 jobs and significantly reduce the country’s US$50 million fish import bill.

Beyond fisheries, the summit underscored the role of maritime transport in regional integration. Recent upgrades at the Kisumu port have expanded its cargo capacity to 50,000 containers annually, offering a viable trade route to Kenya’s landlocked neighbours. 

The ongoing East African inland waterway initiative is expected to reduce regional transport costs by US$70 million per year and cut emissions by 80% compared to road freight.

As Kenya marks its 62nd Madaraka Day, the message from Homa Bay is clear: the country’s prosperity may well depend on a future rooted not just in its land, but in the rich blue waters of its lakes, rivers, and coasts.

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