KPA hands over Sh126.9 million cold storage facility to Kwale fisherfolks
HUSSEIN ABDULLAHI- KNA
Hundreds of fisherfolk in Msambweni con stituency of Kwale County are set to benefit from a modern fisheries facility handed over to them by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
The multimillion-shilling investment aims at trans forming the local fishing industry and enhancing live lihoods with cold storage and ice factories, a long-standing challenge faced by fishing communities.
The new facility is expected to significantly improve fish handling, preservation, and market access for fishermen and fish traders in the area.
The project is designed to address longstanding challenges facing fishing communities, including inadequate fish preserva tion facilities, limited storage capacity, and lack of modern fishing equipment.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, KPA Chief Executive Officer Captian William Ruto said the project aimed at helping remote coastal communities improve their fishing.
Ruto said the investment underscores the Authority’s commitment to supporting communities while contrib uting to the government’s agenda of expanding the blue economy sector.
The Sector, also known as the sustainable ocean based economy encompasses fisheries, maritime biotech nology, aquaculture, tourism and marine transport and logistics.
“This project is more than an investment in infrastruc ture, it is an investment in people, livelihoods, and the future of our coastal com munities,” he said.
He emphasized that the KPA intervention is aimed at helping local fisherfolk preserve their fish catch longer thus enabling them to maximize on profit.
Capt. Ruto noted that the facility will directly benefit fisherfolks by reducing post-harvest losses, improving the quality of fish products, and enabling fishermen to access more lucrative markets.
He announced that KPA will conduct an evaluation after three years to assess the project’s impact, sus tainability, and contribution to the overall community development.
The Sh126.9 million facility comprise an administration office block, a fish storage facility, an ice plant enabling immediate post-harvest cooling, and one fishing boat with outboard engines.
The new facilities are expected to reduce post-har vest losses, enhance incomes and improve the sustainable management of the local marine fishery resources.
Capt Ruto said the marine infrastructure is expected to strengthen the entire fisheries value chain by helping fishermen preserve the freshness and quality of their catch while improving operational efficiency.
The KPA CEO emphasized that enhanced fish handling and storage capacity will increase household incomes, boost food security, create employment opportunities, and support sustainable socio-economic growth across the coastal region.