Private firm to manage State's Sh2.6bn Shimoni Fish Port

"We shall soon advertise to invite interested companies to run the fish port in the next three to six months. The facility will be used by both local and international fishers," he said.

The first fish port, with a capacity to handle 200,000 tonnes per day, was officially handed over to KPA by the contractor, Southern Engineering Company, on Wednesday.

It is expected to contribute to both the local and national economy by supporting the fishing industry and facilitating exports.

The port is designed to reduce post-harvest losses, maximise profits for local fishers, and position Kenya as a key player in the regional fishing industry.

The facility, which is KPA's flagship fish port project, features key infrastructure like a jetty measuring 75 metres by 30 metres and a 135-metre causeway, capable of berthing two fishing vessels simultaneously.

It also includes a dedicated fish processing plant, reefer stations, ice-making machines with a daily capacity of eight tonnes, and cold storage facilities. These will allow for value addition to the catch, increasing export value and strengthening the fisheries value chain.

Read:  State now shifts focus to Shimoni fishing complex

Currently, Kenya relies on smaller fishing vessels berthing at the Liwatoni Fishing Port, where activity remains limited due to inadequate landing, storage and processing facilities. Additionally, cold storage at the facility is not yet complete, meaning operations are far below capacity.

The Kenya Kwanza administration shifted its focus from the Sh1.49 billion Liwatoni Fishing Complex—which has been plagued by scandals—to the Shimoni Fish Port, aiming to revitalise a long-neglected sector. Liwatoni was once touted as a game changer for the fish industry, but its completion has been delayed since March 2021.

Mr Ruto said the Shimoni facility represents a strategic shift in port operations, moving beyond cargo handling to focus on specialised fisheries infrastructure.

"Today we have received the facility from SECO, which has been constructing the facility since 2022. Despite a few challenges, the company has managed to deliver it in 32 months against the 24 months that were our target," he said.

Speaking in Shimoni, he added that the port offers numerous advantages, primarily focusing on boosting the fishing industry, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods for coastal communities.

"The port is designed to streamline fishing operations, from landing the catch to processing and exporting, with a capacity to process up to 50,000 tonnes of fish annually, poised for local and international markets," said the MD.

He added, "The new and improved handling facilities and increased cold chain capacity will be vital in minimising waste and maximising profits for local and international fishers."

With no fully operational fishing port currently, Kenya is losing billions of shillings to neighbouring countries in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region that have invested heavily in fishing infrastructure.

Countries like Mauritius and Seychelles are benefiting from millions of tonnes of fish caught in Kenyan waters, a situation stakeholders say denies Kenya revenue and fish for local consumption.

Despite these challenges, the Kenyan government, through the Kenya Fisheries Services, has invested in monitoring and surveillance of foreign fishing vessels to curb illegal fishing.

Through the Sh10 million Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), all activities of licensed vessels operating in Kenyan waters are documented.

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