This archive report was first published on 14 July 2021.
On July 12, 2021, a Sh120 million fish processing plant was launched in Lurambi, Kakamega County, to cater to the Lake Region Economic Bloc.
The plant, which has the capacity to export 20 metric tonnes of fish per day, will buy fish from 14 counties and export it to 27 European Union countries.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said his county will support the factory by allocating resources annually to the sector.
According to the fish factory boss, Samwel Ondiek, the factory has the capacity to process and export fish to meet the export market demands.
Some 6,976 farmers from Kakamega County are projected to benefit from this venture, with about 9,988 fish ponds having a potential to produce 1,798 metric tonnes of the produce in seven months.
The county is expected to rake in Sh539 million from this initiative.
Governor Oparanya said his administration intends to make the factory viable by investing more in farmers so as to increase produce through subsidizing the fish feed and products.
He said they are going to purchase fish ponds, distribute harvesting nets to farmers, and issue motorcycles to the fisheries extension service providers to boost the produce.
Swedish Ambassador to Kenya Caroline Vacini said her government is keen on helping locals to improve their income, particularly aquaculture farming.
Furthermore, she said fish farmers should take advantage of the European Union market of over 27 counties to produce more fish for exportation to improve their livelihood.
