The Kilifi Central Fish Landing Site and Blue Economy Office Complex is a step closer to becoming operational after construction was completed under the World Bank-funded Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) Project.
The modern facility is currently awaiting formal handover to the Kilifi County Government, marking the final stage before it begins offering services to fishers, traders and other stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the project, located near the Old Ferry landing site in Kilifi Town, is expected to strengthen fisheries management while supporting Kenya’s Blue Economy agenda.
“Strategically located near the Old Ferry landing site in Kilifi Town, the solar-powered facility is designed to strengthen fisheries management, improve fish handling and support the growth of the Blue Economy,” Omollo said.
One-stop centre for fisheries services
According to the Principal Secretary, the facility has been designed to bring together key government services under one roof, making it easier for stakeholders in the fisheries sector to access essential services.
The complex will handle fisheries licensing and registration, coordinate Beach Management Units (BMUs), enforce fisheries regulations and provide other government services to coastal communities.
“The complex will serve as a one-stop centre for key public services, including fisheries licensing and registration, coordination of Beach Management Units (BMUs), enforcement of fisheries regulations and delivery of government services to coastal communities,” Omollo said.
Officials say centralising these services is expected to reduce delays while improving coordination across the fisheries value chain.
Expected benefits once operational
Once officially handed over and opened to the public, the facility is expected to improve fish handling standards, strengthen compliance with fisheries regulations and enhance service delivery for communities that rely on fishing for their livelihoods.
Omollo noted that the project will create a more efficient working environment for fishers, traders and other players in the industry.
“Once operational, the facility is expected to enhance service delivery, improve compliance within the fisheries sector and create a more efficient environment for fishers, traders and other stakeholders along the value chain,” he said.
The complex is also powered by solar energy, supporting the government’s efforts to promote environmentally sustainable infrastructure within the Blue Economy sector.
Part of wider coastal fisheries investment
The Kilifi project comes shortly after the government completed and handed over the Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
The facility, described as Kenya’s first industrial maritime hub dedicated exclusively to commercial fishing and fish processing, is expected to boost seafood production and strengthen the country’s position in regional and international fish markets.
“As the country’s first industrial maritime hub dedicated exclusively to commercial fishing and fish processing, the facility is expected to transform the coastal fisheries sector and strengthen Kenya’s position in regional and international seafood markets,” Omollo said during the handover.
The Shimoni port has been designed to handle up to 50,000 metric tonnes of fish annually and features a commercial jetty, fish processing and value-addition facilities, industrial cold storage systems and ice-making equipment.
Government officials say the project also upgraded community infrastructure, including the local jetty, to ensure artisanal fishers and marine tourism operators continue accessing the waterfront.
According to Omollo, the facility is projected to create up to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, expanding economic opportunities for coastal communities while supporting livelihoods across Kenya’s fisheries value chain.
With the Kilifi fish landing site now awaiting handover, the government says the two projects will play a significant role in modernising fisheries infrastructure, improving service delivery and accelerating the growth of the Blue Economy along Kenya’s coastline.
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