This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
When the Government announced that Kenya would host the Sustainable Blue Economy conference in November last year, many Kenyans were unsure of what to expect. The conference, which drew 18,810 participants from 184 countries and featured over 200 speakers, has left a lasting impact on the country's economy.
One of the key commitments made during the conference was the development of Kenya's maritime transport infrastructure. This includes the construction and expansion of ports shipping facilities, as well as partnerships with global shipping lines. If implemented effectively, this commitment has the potential to revive Kenya's maritime transport and unlock new opportunities for trade and transportation.
For instance, the upgrade of the Kisumu inland waterway is expected to create new trade opportunities within the Lake region. President Uhuru's frequent visits to the ongoing upgrade of the Kisumu pier demonstrate the Government's commitment to the success of the Blue Economy conference resolutions.
However, challenges still exist in the transportation of fresh fish from Lake Victoria to other parts of the country. The enhanced railway enterprise, which will extend from Nairobi to Kisumu, is expected to achieve competition, efficiency, and financial viability, and strengthen the partnership between the Government and the private sector.
Local fishermen will also benefit from the enhanced transportation of fish products, which will reduce their costs and enhance their earnings. This, in turn, is expected to reduce the rates of HIV infections amongst fishermen in the Lake region, as poverty has been linked to the spread of HIV.
The movement of people within the Lake region will also enhance integration, freeing rural people from the constraint of poor access to markets and services, reducing rural poverty, improving welfare, and stimulating agribusiness. The Kisumu Airport will also play a crucial role in the transportation of perishable items.
Employment opportunities are set to arise, which will result in the growth of the Lake region. The Kisumu pier under construction will play an important role in improving domestic connectivity and regional integration, making it easier for locals to reduce travel times within the region.
It is essential for institutions of higher learning and research to be open to opportunities for funding research and development to enable continuing sector improvement and sustainability. This includes works on sector policy and strategies that are needed to improve revenue collection and management, incentivize public and private sector investments.
On the regional perspective, the three countries sharing Lake Victoria will have integration opportunities that will work towards cementing the already existing trade and social partnerships. This calls for participation of all sectors that were involved in the formulation of the Sustainable Blue Economy conference to step up the momentum and speed up the implementation of the other commitments that were assigned to Kenya.
Kenya is ready to embrace the fruits of the conference and ensure the opportunities presented uplift their economic, social, and cultural activities. This will accelerate the achievements of the UN 2030 agenda and the sustainable development goals.
The writer is a maritime Logistics Consultant.
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