Kenya’s Homa Bay County adopts new policy to boost fisheries and aquaculture

KENYA -Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga recently signed the county’s first-ever Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Policy, marking a major milestone for one of Kenya’s most fish-dependent regions. 

The policy, which has been three years in the making and crafted through extensive community participation, is expected to reshape the county’s blue economy by strengthening governance, boosting aquaculture, and restoring declining fish stocks.

The policy was developed by the County Government and Department of Fisheries with technical support from WorldFish. 

Officials say it seeks to respond to long-standing sector challenges, including dwindling capture fisheries, unreliable aquaculture inputs, high post-harvest losses, and limited access to profitable markets.

Governor Wanga described the signing as a transformative moment for the county, noting: “This policy is a bold step forward as it emphasizes community empowerment, gender inclusion, climate resilience, and public-private partnerships as foundational pillars of a thriving blue economy.”

Addressing structural gaps

Homa Bay, which commands the largest share of Kenya’s portion of Lake Victoria, remains central to the country’s fish supply. But persistent pressures, ranging from overfishing and environmental degradation to weak value chains, have constrained growth.

The new policy outlines measures to strengthen resource management, promote climate-resilient aquaculture systems, modernize value chains, and expand both regional and national market access. 

It further commits the county to fostering responsible production practices that can restore aquatic biodiversity while stimulating economic opportunities for fishing households.

A strong emphasis has been placed on gender and youth inclusion. The policy recognizes the pivotal role that women and young people play across the sector, from production and harvesting to processing and trade, and proposes pathways to improve access to leadership spaces, finance, and equitable benefit-sharing.

Dr. Rahma Adam of WorldFish said the framework reflects extensive research on social and climate vulnerabilities in Lake Victoria communities, noting: 

“The policy builds on studies of the gendered impact of climate change on fishers, farmers, and value chain actors and will connect science to action and impact – a model approach that can hopefully benefit other counties and fishing communities in Kenya.”

Implementation and Outlook

Lake Victoria, globally recognized as the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, gives Homa Bay a strategic advantage for scaling aquatic food systems. 

With the new policy, county leaders say the region is poised for stronger economic performance, improved livelihoods, and more resilient ecosystems.

According to Sarah Malit, County Executive Committee Member for Blue Economy, Fisheries, Mining and Digital Economy, 

“This policy is grounded in the principles of sustainability, equity, and innovation. It outlines actionable strategies to enhance fish production, improve value chains, promote responsible aquaculture, and empower women and youth in the sector. It is both a call to action and a commitment to stewardship.”

WorldFish will remain a key implementation partner, joining community groups, researchers, producer organizations, and other development stakeholders to ensure the policy translates into tangible results.

The Homa Bay County Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Policy was officially launched on 21 November, during World Fisheries Day, and the framework is widely seen as a breakthrough for sustainable aquatic food systems and inclusive economic growth across the Lake Victoria region.

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