Senate Agriculture Committee engages Ministry of mining officials on Blue Economy agenda

Senate Agriculture Committee engages Ministry of mining officials on Blue Economy agenda

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟐 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, led by Chairperson Sen James Murango (Kirinyaga), convened a meeting with the State Department of Blue Economy, to review progress and address gaps in the implementation of the blue economy agenda. 

Opening the session, Sen Murango underscored the Committee’s critical role in providing oversight and shaping legislative frameworks to strengthen Kenya’s blue economy sector. He emphasized that the Committee would collaborate with the Ministry’s State Department and its agencies to prioritise policies and programmes that enhance sustainable resource management and benefit communities reliant on fisheries and maritime industries.

The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Blue Economy, Ms Betsy Njagi, provided an overview of the Department's mandate and the operations of its key agencies. These include the Kenya Fisheries Services (KeFS), Kenya Fish Marketing Authority (KFMA), Fish Levy Trust Fund (FLTF), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and Kenya Fishing Industries Corporation (KFIC).

The State Department highlighted various government-funded fisheries and ongoing programmes across the country, which the Committee scrutinised to ensure value for money, sustainability, and equitable distribution of benefits. Senators reiterated their commitment to ensuring accountability and advocating for reforms aimed at unlocking the full potential of Kenya’s blue economy.