Harnessing the Blue Economy: Step Forward for Mombasa’s Fishing Communities

By Andrew Mwangura

On August 12, 2025, cabinet secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho met with representatives from the 16 Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Mombasa County, marking a significant moment for the region’s fishing communities.

This gathering, attended by the Speaker of the Mombasa County Assembly and members of the Assembly Committee on Blue Economy, was not just a routine engagement but a critical step toward addressing long-standing challenges faced by those who depend on the ocean for their livelihoods.

The discussions focused on the safety of landing sites, the protection of fishing grounds, and compensation for disruptions caused by development projects, while also exploring ways to enhance the sustainability and profitability of fishing operations.

This meeting signals a promising shift in how Kenya’s coastal communities are being engaged in the nation’s ambitious blue economy agenda, but it also underscores the urgency of translating dialogue into action.

The blue economy, encompassing marine-based activities like fishing, maritime transport, and tourism, is a cornerstone of Kenya’s economic transformation, particularly for coastal counties like Mombasa.

For decades, fishing communities have been the heartbeat of these regions, yet their contributions have often been sidelined in national development conversations.

The challenges they face—unsafe landing sites, shrinking fishing grounds due to environmental degradation, and inadequate compensation for disruptions caused by infrastructure projects—are not new.

These issues have long hindered the ability of BMUs to thrive in an industry that holds immense potential for economic growth.

Joho’s decision to sit down with these representatives, alongside key county leaders, reflects an understanding that the voices of these communities must be central to shaping policies that affect them. Safety at landing sites emerged as a critical concern during the discussions.

For fishermen, landing sites are more than just points of access to the sea; they are economic hubs where trade, collaboration, and community life intersect. Yet, many of these sites in Mombasa lack basic infrastructure, such as proper jetties, storage facilities, or safety measures to protect against rough tides and accidents.

These deficiencies not only endanger lives but also limit the efficiency of fishing operations. By prioritizing this issue, Joho is acknowledging a fundamental truth: sustainable development in the blue economy cannot happen without ensuring the safety and dignity of those who work the waters daily.

Equally pressing is the threat to fishing grounds, which are increasingly under pressure from both environmental and human-induced factors.

Coastal development projects, while often framed as progress, can disrupt delicate marine ecosystems, reducing fish stocks and threatening the livelihoods of thousands.

The conversation around compensation for these disruptions is a welcome development.

Too often, fishing communities have borne the brunt of projects like port expansions or tourism developments without adequate recourse.

Joho’s engagement with BMUs on this front suggests a commitment to balancing development with fairness, ensuring that those whose lives are upended by progress are not left behind.

However, the real test will be in the implementation—whether compensation mechanisms are transparent, timely, and sufficient to support affected communities.

Beyond addressing these challenges, the meeting also explored opportunities to add value to fishing operations, a move that could transform the economic prospects of Mombasa’s BMUs.

Value addition—through improved processing, packaging, and market access—has the potential to turn small-scale fishing into a more profitable and sustainable enterprise.

For instance, investments in cold storage facilities could reduce post-harvest losses, while training in modern processing techniques could enable fishermen to tap into higher-value markets, both locally and internationally.

Joho’s focus on this area aligns with Kenya’s broader blue economy strategy, which emphasizes innovation and sustainability.

By involving the Mombasa County Assembly, whose members brought critical local insights, the discussions were grounded in the realities of the communities they aim to serve.

The presence of the Speaker and the Assembly Committee on Blue Economy was a strategic move, bridging national and county-level efforts.

The county assembly’s involvement ensures that local perspectives shape policy, fostering a collaborative approach that is essential for success.

Their insights likely highlighted the unique needs of Mombasa’s diverse fishing communities, from small-scale artisanal fishermen to those engaged in larger cooperative ventures.

This partnership between national and county leadership could serve as a model for other coastal regions, where tensions between centralized policies and local realities often hinder progress.

Yet, for all the promise of this meeting, its success will depend on follow-through.

Joho, a former Mombasa governor with deep ties to the region, brings both political clout and local understanding to his role.

His appointment as Cabinet Secretary has been met with optimism, as evidenced by the jubilation in Mombasa when he was nominated in July 2024.However, optimism alone is not enough.

The fishing communities of Mombasa have heard promises before, and their trust will only be earned through tangible outcomes.

Investments in infrastructure, clear compensation frameworks, and accessible training programs must move from discussion to reality.

Moreover, Joho must navigate the complex political dynamics of the coast, where unity among leaders has often been elusive, as seen in recent efforts to reconcile coastal counties ahead of the 2027 elections.

The blue economy is more than an economic opportunity; it is a lifeline for Mombasa’s fishing communities.

Joho’s meeting with the BMUs is a step in the right direction, signaling a commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

By addressing safety, protecting fishing grounds, ensuring fair compensation, and promoting value addition, the government has an opportunity to empower these communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The involvement of county leaders ensures that these efforts are grounded in local realities, but the challenge now is to sustain this momentum.

As Kenya positions itself as a global leader in ocean conservation—highlighted by Joho’s role as Vice President of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025—the needs of its coastal communities must remain at the forefront.

This meeting is a promising start, but it is only through sustained action that the blue economy can truly become a tide that lifts all boats.

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