Kakamega County Officially Launches KES. 120M Fish Processing Plant

Kakamega County, on Monday 12^th officially launched a 120-million-shilling Fish Processing Plant to diversify agricultural activities in the region.

The processing plant which began operations in July 2021 can process up to 30 metric tons of fish in a day. The county has a high potential for Aquaculture in Kenya with 6,976 fish farmers and 9,988 fish ponds. The new plant will enable the county to produce up to a maximum of 1,798 metric tonnes of fish in a seven-month production cycle.

Speaking during the event, the County Governor, Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, noted that fish farming in the county plays a central role in the diversification objectives of the department towards improving food and nutrition security, health, creating employment, and conserving the environment.

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The governor acknowledged the efforts of the county in putting in place structures aimed at developing the fisheries and Aquaculture which has led to a tremendous improvement of the economy and people’s livelihoods in Kakamega.

“With a high population density, majority of our farmers have small parcels of land which means that agriculture can only be practiced on a subsistence level. Fish farming, therefore, offers the best alternative as it requires less space but with high returns,” said Oparanya.

To address the challenges facing fish farming in the region including the marketing of fish and fish products, high cost of fish feeds, the existence of predators, the security of the fish, and high cost of fingerlings, the county government has put in place several measures to address them.

Among the strategies cited includes providing fish feeds subsidies, employing extension officers, and strengthening the Cooperative movement, as the ones that have steadily enhanced the growth of aquaculture in Kakamega.

The commissioning of the plant was attended by the Ambassador of Sweden to Kenya, Madam Caroline Vicini, the Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa, and a few other governors.

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The Swedish Government through the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) has over the years supported the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDSP), a program that supports three value chains of maize, dairy, and poultry.

Oparanya noted that the visit by the Swedish Ambassador cements the partnership with the County Government of Kakamega further promoting the bilateral relations between Kenya and the European nation.

“The County Government appreciates our partners, the National Government through the Economic Stimulation Programme (ESP) and the DAS Group Kenya Limited, for investing over Kshs. 40 million (DAS) to upgrade this facility to ensure it meets all the requirements qualifying it to export fish to the much-coveted European Union (EU) market,” the Governor concluded.