Fish Preservation Facilities by KPA to Spur Economic Activities in Msambweni

By Caroline Katana

Msambweni constituency fishing communities in Kwale county are expected to reduce post-harvest losses and improve their earnings following the handing over of a Ksh129.6 million ice plant, cold storage facility, and office block by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

The fish preservation facilities, developed under KPA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, are expected to strengthen the fisheries value chain by improving fish preservation, promoting value addition, and creating employment opportunities for local residents.

For years, fishermen in the area have struggled to preserve their catch due to inadequate storage facilities, forcing many to sell fish immediately after landing at lower prices to avoid spoilage.

The new infrastructure is expected to enable them to keep fish fresh for longer, maintain the quality of their catch, and access better-paying markets.

Beach Management Unit (BMU) leaders welcomed the investment describing it as a major milestone for fishing communities along the South Coast.

Speaking on behalf of the 24 BMUs in county, their leader Mtengo Omar Makame said the cold storage facility and ice plant would significantly reduce fish spoilage while improving the quality of fish supplied to local and external markets.

According to him the facilities will promote value addition by enabling fish to be preserved before reaching consumers, thereby increasing returns for fishermen while creating opportunities for women and youth engaged in the fisheries sector.

The BMU leader, however, called for continued collaboration with KPA in marine conservation, capacity building and support for deep-sea fishing initiatives to ensure sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

Kinondo community elders welcomed the investment saying it would transform the local fisheries sector and improve business opportunities for fish traders who have long lacked proper fish preservation infrastructure.

They appealed to authority and the government to complement the facilities with maritime and fisheries training programmes to equip local youth with skills required to take advantage of employment opportunities in the blue economy.

Speaking during the commissioning and handover ceremony, KPA managing director Captain William Ruto said the authority had invested Ksh129.6 million in the fish preservation facilities following years of engagement with local leaders.

“This investment has been made possible because of the goodwill and support of the national government which has worked closely with KPA from the beginning to ensure this vision becomes a reality,” he said.

The MD noted that the cold storage facility and ice plant would enable fishermen to preserve their catch after landing, reducing post-harvest losses while supporting value addition before the fish is sold or transported to markets.

He directed authority’s technical team to repair minor defects identified in the facilities before they become fully operational and promised to consider requests for additional office furniture.

Responding to concerns raised by local leaders, the MD assured residents that local people would be given priority whenever employment opportunities arise from port operations especially in Shimoni and future projects.

He also directed authority engineers to facilitate technical skills training for local youth to enable them to qualify for technical jobs associated with port operations and maintenance.

“Priority for employment will be given to local residents, and we will also ensure young people receive the necessary technical training to qualify for these opportunities,” he said.

The KPA boss encouraged women to prepare for opportunities expected from fish processing and value addition saying they would play an important role in operating the facilities and improving household incomes.

He urged the community to protect and maintain the facilities saying the authority would continue working with local leaders to monitor the project’s performance and ensure it delivers lasting socio-economic benefits.

Area MP Feisal Bader said the project was a result of sustained engagement between the government agency and the local community following concerns over marine sand harvesting activities.

Although the courts ruled that KPA had no legal obligation to compensate residents, he said the authority committed itself to implementing community projects through its CSR programme.

“What we are witnessing today is the fulfilment of the commitments made to the people of Msambweni through the Memorandum of Understanding,” he said.

According to the MP between 90 and 95 per cent of the commitments contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been fulfilled, including the construction of the fish preservation facilities and training of more than 1,500 fishermen, fish traders and other stakeholders from Mwakamba, Mwaepe, Chale Jeza and Gasi landing sites.

The lawmaker appealed to authority to continue prioritising employment opportunities for local youth whenever contractors are engaged and to ensure the facilities remain fully operational for the benefit of the community.

Deputy County Commissioner Josphat Mutisya commended the partnership between KPA, the national government and the local community saying investments in fisheries infrastructure are critical to unlocking the economic potential of the blue economy.

He urged BMUs and residents to work closely with government agencies in safeguarding marine resources and properly managing the facilities to ensure they continue benefiting present and future generations.

The commissioning of the cold storage facility, ice plant and office block marks a significant step in strengthening fisheries infrastructure in Kwale County and is expected to improve fish preservation, minimise post-harvest losses, promote value addition and enhance incomes for fishing communities in the wider Msambweni Constituency.