BY SHABAN OMAR
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the Sh2.6 billion Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County will be officially commissioned next month.
Addressing residents during an empowerment forum at Maganyakulo in Kwale, Kindiki revealed that the modern facility, whose construction is now complete, will be inaugurated by President William Ruto in what is anticipated to be a vibrant and historic ceremony.
“The Shimoni Port is ready, and in about a month, the President will preside over its official opening,” he said.
According to Kindiki, the event will usher in a new era for the county’s fishing sector.
He added that the national government has instructed the Ministry of Blue Economy to procure large fishing vessels to enable local fishers to venture into deep-sea fishing, boosting their catch and earnings.
Kindiki noted that the new port will boost the local fishing industry by accommodating larger vessels and expanding export capacity.
Situated along the Indian Ocean coastline in Lunga-Lunga sub-county, the state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in the region and forms part of the government’s ambitious Blue Economy program.
The port is equipped with modern amenities, including advanced cold storage units, fish processing plants, ice-making machines, and berthing space for large fishing boats. It also houses administration offices and public sanitation facilities.
Once in operation, the facility is expected to transform the fishing industry by cutting post-harvest losses, enhancing the quality of fish for both domestic and international markets, and generating thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities for the people of Kwale and surrounding areas.
Kindiki added that the port will serve as a key hub for regional trade, drawing investors from across Kenya and the wider East African Community.
“This development will not only support fishermen in Shimoni and neighbouring areas but will also increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings through expanded fish exports,” he said.
The construction of the port commenced in 2022 under the oversight of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) with the goal of unlocking the vast, untapped potential of Kenya’s marine resources.
The initiative also covers the refurbishment of nearby fish landing sites and the upgrading of road networks to improve connectivity and ease of access to the facility.
Kindiki said the government has also upgraded and completed several fish landing sites across 10 coastal counties and the lake region to support operations at the new Shimoni Fish Port.
In Kwale County, modern landing sites have been established in Vanga, Gazi, Kibuyuni, and Mwaepe, each fitted with cold storage facilities, fish handling sheds, and improved jetties to enhance safety and profitability in fishing.
He explained that the initiative is part of a wider government plan to strengthen the blue economy by empowering small-scale fishers, cutting post-harvest losses, and ensuring that local communities reap direct benefits from marine resources.
“The blue economy is our next frontier for economic growth. We are making targeted investments to enable our people to harvest, store, process, and market fish competitively,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki said the government has made significant investments in the blue economy and is banking on the sector to drive economic growth, create thousands of jobs, and uplift livelihoods, especially in coastal communities.
He noted that with modern infrastructure such as the Shimoni Fish Port and upgraded landing sites, Kenya is positioning itself as a competitive player in the regional and global fisheries market.
Kindiki further revealed that the construction of the Mariculture and Resource Centre in Shimoni is ongoing and has so far reached 40 percent completion.
He said the facility will serve as a research and training hub for sustainable fish farming, promote marine biodiversity conservation, and support innovation in aquaculture.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani expressed optimism that the new fishing port will play a vital role in boosting both the local and national economy, revitalizing economic activities in the coastal region, and creating new employment opportunities for residents.
Achani welcomed the completion of the multi-billion-shilling project, describing it as a game-changer for the region’s economic growth and commercial activities.
She noted that the port will not only enhance the value chain in the fishing industry but also open up greater market access for local fishers.
The Governor added that the facility will leverage the capacity of the Mombasa commercial seaport to facilitate the export of fish and related products to regional and international markets, thereby increasing foreign exchange earnings and strengthening Kenya’s position in the global fisheries trade.
Achani thanked Ruto’s administration for including Kwale in development projects.
She urged leaders to put aside tribal politics and embrace peace for more development.
