The Kenyan chapter of ReSea project set to benefit over 50,000 residents in Blue economy sector has been launched in Dabaso area, Kilifi County.
Mining, Blue Economy and Marine Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya launched the Sh. 750 million project that will be implemented along the beach from Takaungu to Marereni.
He said that women and youth groups will stand to benefit from the project in the area.
“The project is going to mobilize women, youth groups and groups that are proactive in climate change and the blue economy. We want to start from zero so that the program does not work alone and we shall link it with the already existing capacities and scale so that it is in tandem with the priorities of local communities,” he said.
Mvurya who was accompanied by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, issued an order to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya Coast Guards (KCG) to stop harassing fishermen who use illegal fishing gear.
“We must also scale down capacity building programs that have no benefit to beneficiaries because we want the blue economy to uplift the lives of our people because our fishermen are very hardworking and we will stand with them,” he said.
“Don’t harass fishermen but help them to follow the law. I order that fishermen should not be harassed and we shall equip them with the correct fishing gear so that they can operate within the law,” he said.
Mvurya said that government institutions instead of harassing fishermen, officials should enlighten them on safe fishing gear that will protect the environment.
Governor Mung’aro challenged field officers who will be implementing the project to limit sensitization and training programs and instead spend the funds in equipping residents since they already know their trade.
He said that a lot of funds were being used to train and sensitize communities instead of equipping them with tools for their trade.
“Those who will implement this project should reduce or stop the sensitization and use those funds to equip them with proper tools,” he said.
