Today, we marked another milestone in advancing Kenya's Blue Economy at Gwa Kiongo and Githunguri Cascading Dams in Nyandarua County.
Through a partnership between the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Kenya Fisheries Service and KMFRI, we delivered 20,000 fingerlings, two fully equipped fishing boats, fishing gear, life jackets and fish feeds to support community aquaculture.
This investment is about more than fish. It is about creating jobs, increasing household incomes, strengthening food security and demonstrating how strategic partnerships can transform our dams into engines of economic growth. By integrating fisheries with irrigation and clean energy, we are building a climate-smart Blue Economy that transforms livelihoods and strengthens local communities.
@PS_Betsy_Njagi@KmfriResearch@Blue_Economy_F
State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries is in the final stages of mapping dams across the country as part of a nationwide initiative to stock suitable water bodies with quality fish fingerlings expanding aquaculture opportunities, boosting local economies and improving livelihoods.
At Gwa Kiongo Dam, which has a capacity of 450,000 cubic metres we supported over 80 fisherfolk with 15,000 quality fingerlings for two fish cages, two fishing boats,fish feeds to kick start production, and essential fishing and safety gears.
Together with Principal Secretary @AlexKWachira (Energy), Principal Secretary @EphantusKim (Irrigation), Principal Secretary Esther Muoria (TVET), and the President’s Senior Economic Advisor, @HonMoses_Kuria we joined the people of Ol Kalou at Gwa Kiongo Dam for the launch of these transformative initiatives aimed at enhancing livelihoods through the Blue Economy, agriculture and irrigation.
This initiative will be sustainably supported by the Kabonyo Fisheries and Aquaculture Service and Training Centre of Excellence (KFASTCE), currently under construction by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries. Once completed, the Centre will ensure a reliable supply of quality fingerlings to support fish farming across the country.
We also commissioned solar powered irrigation pumps at Gwa Kiongo and Githunguri dams, which will enable communities living around the dams to undertake year round farming, boost agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and improve household incomes.
These integrated interventions reflect the Government’s commitment to harnessing the full potential of our water resources to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of communities across the country.
It was a blessed Sunday joining H.E. President William Samoei Ruto for fellowship at Full Gospel Church Gatunduri in Embu.
Our shared commitment to the teachings of God remains the foundation of our service to the people. As scripture reminds us whether it is the call in Romans 13 to honor the authority God has established, or the instruction in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for our leader we must always lift our nation and its leadership in prayer.
May God grant our leaders wisdom and bless Kenya.
I undertook a site visit to our Sagana facilities in Kirinyaga County.
KeFS is proud to oversee two distinct institutions at this site that are driving Kenya's aquaculture sector forward:
Kenya Fishing School
• Offers TVETA & CDACC accredited CBET courses (Aquaculture Tech Levels 3-6) and 1-3 week short courses.
• Provides university field attachments & educational tours for primary/secondary learners.
• Conducts practical demonstrations for fish farmers.
• Operationalizes aquaponics systems for learning institutions.
• Provides accommodation and conferencing facilities for seminars.
And the National Aquaculture Training Development and Innovation Transfer Centre:
• Spearheads the selective breeding of Nile tilapia and catfish.
• Sells quality fingerlings and breeding stock to support farmers.
• Focuses on Gene bank improvement and restocking natural water bodies.
• Conducts farmer inductions.
• Develops and disseminates new aquaculture technologies and innovations.
Together under KeFS, we are equipping farmers with the right skills, technology, and breeding stock to transform the sector.
On 30 June 2026, the Machakos County office, in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Office, successfully restocked 21,000 mixed-sex Tilapia fingerlings (F9) into the Ndakuma and Mulima Earth Dams located in Makueni County.
This initiative, which aims to enhance local protein sources and economic activity, brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from the Makueni County Government, local administration, and dam committee members.
During the event, the County Director and the Chief Officer for Agriculture and Fisheries expressed their appreciation to the Kenya Fisheries Service for this critical support. We acknowledge the leadership of the Director General, whose guidance and facilitation were instrumental in ensuring the successful execution of this restocking exercise.
Yesterday, Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) team participated in essential training on the use of Electronic Monitoring (EM) for Safe Handling and Release Practices, facilitated by our partners at The Nature Conservancy.
Innovation is the engine of our progress. By adopting Electronic Monitoring, we are not just upgrading our technology; we are revolutionizing our oversight. EM serves as a powerful force multiplier for our National Observer Programme, lightening the workload for our dedicated human observers, expanding our coverage reach, increasing safety, and significantly lowering deployment costs.
This strategic shift is exactly why we established our Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) Command Centers. It is the heartbeat of our commitment to full integration, 100% transparency, and absolute accountability across Kenya's industrial fishing fleet by 2030.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to cooperation. We continue to work hand-in-hand with The State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries and KMFRI, as well as regional bodies like the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) on other key initiatives.
Together, we are building a data-driven future that ensures our fisheries resources are managed sustainably for generations to come.
@Nature_Africa@Blue_Economy_F@DgKeFS@KmfriResearch
Today, I held a highly constructive meeting with officials from the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) to discuss a new strategic collaboration.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) as we move toward a more integrated approach to maritime Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS). Our cooperation will focus on the mutual sharing of equipment, technical expertise, and critical information. By pooling our resources and manpower, we are significantly strengthening our capacity to monitor, control, and protect our waters.
This is exactly the right step forward as we continue to advance our commitment to delivering the highest quality of service and ensuring the long-term health of Kenya’s blue economy. Together with our international partners, we are building a more transparent and sustainable future for our fisheries.
@EFCA_EU
To conclude a productive day, the Kenya Fisheries Service Board of Directors held a high-level meeting with The Nature Conservancy. Led by Director General Ms. Daisy Muriuki and Deputy Director Ms. Elizabeth Mueni, we have moved to formalize a partnership 13 years in the making. This collaboration marks a milestone in implementing effective Ecosystem-Based Management in our fisheries, with expanded capacity-building initiatives set to further strengthen the sustainability of our blue economy.
#OOC11
It was a productive day of bilateral engagements here at the 11th Our Ocean Conference. I held strategic meetings with esteemed delegates from Liberia and Nigeria to explore avenues for regional cooperation on conservation, management and development of our respective fisheries.
Strengthening synergy between our nations is essential as we work to scale sustainable solutions to unlock the full potential of our collective Blue Economy. Kenya remains committed to fostering these partnerships for the benefit of our coastal communities and the wider continent.
#OOC11 #BlueEconomy #RegionalCooperation #SustainableFisheries
I was honoured to host H.E. Kithure Kindiki, H.E. Hassan Ali Joho, and P.S. Betsy Njagi at the Kenya Fisheries Service exhibition booth during the Our Ocean Conference 2026.
It was a privilege to brief them on the significant strides we are making to revitalize our maritime sector. I was particularly delighted to highlight our achievements in the increase of the Yellowfin Tuna allocation for Kenya, which will be instrumental in enhancing revenue collection and creating sustainable livelihoods for our coastal fishers.
Our mission is to translate our vast fisheries resources into tangible economic growth through strategic investments and improved infrastructure. The support from our national leadership is vital as we scale these initiatives to position Kenya as a regional leader in sustainable fisheries.
#OOC11 #BlueEconomy
@PS_Betsy_Njagi@_KithureKindiki@HassanAliJoho@OurOceanOOC
I was honoured to attend the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO dinner.
The ocean's value does not begin when we harvest a fish, welcome a tourist, or build a port. It begins with healthy ecosystems and resilient communities. To manage that wealth wisely, we must first be able to see it, and Ocean Accounts provides the framework to do exactly that.
By integrating economic data with environmental statistics, we are moving beyond traditional metrics to capture the true health and potential of our marine spaces. Kenya remains firmly committed to working with GOAP, UNESCO-IOC, and all our global partners to make ocean accounting a cornerstone of sustainable ocean governance across the African continent.
#OurOceanConference #OOC11 #BlueEconomy
The future of fisheries management depends on data, transparency, and accountability. Electronic Monitoring offers a transformative opportunity to improve how we monitor our waters, ensure compliance, and make evidence-based management decisions.
For Kenya, Electronic Monitoring is not simply an investment in technology. It is an investment in sustainability, food security, economic growth, and the future of our Blue Economy.
As we gather at the 11th Our Ocean Conference, let us accelerate action, strengthen partnerships, and scale solutions that keep our fisheries productive and resilient. Kenya stands ready to work with all partners in advancing this vital agenda.
#OOC11
It's day one of Our Ocean Conference, and I am thrilled to see so many fresh partnerships already taking shape as we come together to share critical knowledge in the sector.
At the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), we remain deeply dedicated to advancing sustainable fisheries management and strengthening the collaborations that will secure our blue economy for the future.
It has been a privilege to walk the exhibition floor today, connecting with fellow leaders and innovators. I’ve enjoyed visiting our partners to discuss how our collective efforts are driving the sustainable agenda forward.
We welcome you all to visit our exhibition booth to explore how we are turning these essential initiatives into action. Let’s build a resilient and prosperous ocean future together!
#OOC11