President William Ruto has announced an ambitious Sh1 billion investment to upgrade the Usenge Pier and its port infrastructure as part of efforts to unlock the vast potential of Kenya’s blue economy. Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting with leaders and businessmen from Siaya County, the President outlined an integrated development plan aimed at revitalizing economic activity around Lake Victoria.
“We will invest Sh1 billion in the development of Usenge Pier and build 16 markets in the county at a cost of Sh2.5 billion,” Ruto stated. He added that the government will also allocate Sh1.6 billion to connect over 16,000 households to electricity, aiming to spur entrepreneurship and local trade.
This initiative aligns with Ruto’s broader vision for the blue economy, which he reiterated during the May 30 Blue Economy Conference in Homa Bay. He emphasized the untapped potential of the Indian Ocean and inland water bodies like Lake Victoria, expressing confidence that with strategic investments, the sector could grow from contributing Sh36 billion 0.6 per cent of GDP to Sh400 billion.
Key to this strategy is the reduction of post-harvest losses, which currently stand at 30–40 per cent. To address this, the government is constructing modern fish markets equipped with cold storage in counties around Lake Victoria. These markets, including the recently opened Koginga Pier facility in Homa Bay, are expected to be operational by September 2025.
In addition to Usenge, nine other fish landing sites are planned across Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Migori, and Homa Bay at a cost of Sh1.5 billion. These sites will feature modern fish landing sheds, communal kitchens, and advanced cold storage units.
The government is also promoting cage fish farming in Lake Victoria, where over 4,000 cages have been established, producing 12,000 metric tonnes of Nile tilapia annually. This move is designed to ease pressure on wild fish stocks while meeting rising demand.
President Ruto’s blueprint for the blue economy signals a transformative shift in Kenya’s approach to sustainable fisheries, infrastructure development, and rural empowerment particularly for communities in the western region.
