It’s Time Kenya Anchors Its Future in the Blue Economy

By Andrew Mwangura

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

When Kenya hosted the inaugural Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in 2018, it marked a bold declaration to the world: our oceans, lakes, and coastal resources matter. And yet, several years later, the tides of political attention have ebbed.

While agriculture, real estate, and digital economies dominate policy headlines, the maritime sector remains an undercurrent—quietly brimming with untapped potential. This must change as Kenya’s economic transformation depends on unlocking the promise of the Blue Economy (BE).

With over 600 kilometers of coastline and strategic access to the Indian Ocean, Kenya is geographically blessed. Mombasa Port is East Africa’s gateway to the world, handling billions in regional trade.

Our marine ecosystems host some of the richest fisheries in the region, supporting thousands of coastal livelihoods. Lamu is primed to be a key logistics and tourism hub. So why has the political agenda not fully embraced this sector?

Part of the problem lies in fragmented governance. The maritime sector is regulated by a web of disconnected laws, overseen by multiple ministries with overlapping mandates. 

Our artisanal fishers—many of them women and youth—are often excluded from decision-making. Coastal infrastructure is lagging, and environmental degradation threatens the sustainability of our resources.

But there is a silver lining. Kenya is not starting from zero. The government has articulated BE aspirations in Vision 2030 and recent development plans. Institutions like Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) are training the next generation of seafarers.

New port projects in Lamu and Kisumu are slowly reshaping regional trade dynamics.

What is missing is political urgency—the kind that makes BE development a central pillar of national planning, not a peripheral promise.

This is not just about economic diversification. The BE is a frontier for food security, climate resilience, youth employment, and innovation.

A properly governed maritime sector can anchor Kenya’s sovereignty and regional influence, while opening new channels for green finance, tourism, and international investment.

Kenya needs a high-level, cross-cutting BE council to drive policy coherence. It needs investments in port modernization, marine spatial planning, and ocean science. It must empower coastal communities with financing and market access. And critically, it must uphold environmental protections as a non-negotiable baseline for development.

As we navigate the post-COVID recovery, with climate threats looming large and global trade shifting eastwards, Kenya cannot afford to ignore its greatest natural asset: the ocean.

The BE is not a luxury; it is our lifeline. It’s time for Kenya’s political class, civil society, and private sector to come aboard.

The tide is rising. Let us sail with it.

The writer is a maritime analyst specializing in maritime governance and blue economy development.