Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has issued a stern ultimatum to the contractor behind the delayed National Mariculture Resource and Training (Namaret) project in Shimoni, Kwale County. The CS has given the contractor three months to complete the Sh1.4 billion initiative, citing growing concerns over the project’s slow pace and the risk it poses to Kenya’s blue economy ambitions.
During the commissioning of the adjacent National Marine Hatchery on Wednesday, Joho expressed frustration that the project currently only 40 per cent complete was supposed to be ready by early August. “The agreement was clear; this project should have been ready next month. I don’t know what magic you will do, but I am giving you three months to finish it,” he said.
Joho emphasized that the government had fulfilled its obligations by clearing all payments and approvals. He warned that laxity and substandard delivery on public projects would no longer be tolerated. “We will not entertain nonsense where contractors play around with public money and deliver shoddy work,” he declared.
The Namaret project is a flagship initiative under the Blue Economy sector and is seen as key to improving marine resource management, enhancing fish production, and creating economic opportunities for coastal communities. Joho noted that any further delays would undermine public confidence and stall the government’s development agenda.
He also warned that contractors who fail to meet timelines would be blacklisted and barred from future government projects. “We will make it our business to ensure that if contractors misbehave, they never do any business with this government again,” he said.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani backed Joho’s tough stance, urging the contractor to treat the project with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. “The people of Kwale are banking on this project to transform their lives. The contractor should not play with the dreams of our people,” she said.
The Namaret facility, once complete, is expected to play a central role in Kenya’s drive to harness its marine resources for sustainable economic development.
