Swedish Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Madam Caroline Vicini officially commissions the Kakamega County Fish Processing Plant

KAKAMEGA COUNTY FISH FACTORY COMMISSIONED

Diversification of Agriculture is a key objective of the County Government of Kakamega being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Cooperatives and Fisheries to improve food and nutrition security, health and create employment among the local populace. To realise this, the Government has been diversifying the sector to other enterprises which include Fish farming, Livestock development, Poultry and Cooperative support.

Kakamega County Governor H.E DR. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya Monday12 July 2021 hosted high level dignitaries led by the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya Her Excellency Madam Caroline Vicini to officially commission the Kakamega County Fish Processing Plant at Lutonyi, Shieywe Ward in Lurambi Sub-County marking a major milestone in the Government’s efforts to promote other enterprises.

Speaking during the colorful event, Governor Oparanya said the visit by the Amb. cements partnership with the County Government of Kakamega further promoting the bilateral relations between Kenya and the European nation. The Swedish Government through the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) has over the years supported the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDSP), a programme that supports three value chains of Maize, Dairy and Poultry.

The Processing Plant that begun operations this month has a capacity of processing upto 30 metric tons of fish in a day. Kakamega has a high potential for Aquaculture in Kenya with 6,976 fish farmers and 9,988 fish ponds. This has a potential to produce a total of 1,798 metric tonnes of fish in a seven month production cycle.

“The County Government appreciates our partners, the National Government through the Economic Stimulation Programme (ESP) and the DAS Group Kenya Limited, for investing over Kshs. 40 million (DAS) to upgrade this facility to ensure it meets all the requirements qualifying it to export fish to the much-coveted European Union (EU) market,” the Governor said adding that the factory will address the challenges faced by fish farmers in marketing of their fish.

Kakamega County, the Governor announced, will soon set up a fish feeds warehouse for production of the feeds.

Through various strategies among them providing fish feeds subsidies, employing extension officers and strengthening the Cooperative movement, the County Government has steadily enhanced the growth of aquaculture in Kakamega; recently the County was awarded with a certificate as the best Aquaculture County by the Aquaculture Academy.

The Swedish Ambassador and Chief Guest Madam Caroline Vicini said the European Union (EU) has a stringent criteria on its importations especially on foodstuffs and expressed her delight that the Kakamega Fish Processing Plant meets the required standards of exports to the EU.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Hon. Eugene Wamalwa thanked Governor Oparanya for providing steady leadership and revealed that through partnership with the National Government, Kakamega County will soon be home to the first Gold Refinery plant in the Country at Ikolomani Sub-County.

Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) Vice Chairperson and Kisii Governor Hon. James Ongwae expressed optimism that the Kakamega plant will receive the excess raw materials from other LREB member counties and urged farmers in the region to embrace fish farming.

DAS Group Limited CEO Mr. Samwel Ondiek also called on residents to increase fish production to ensure a steady supply of the raw materials to the plant.

The guests later visited Jafi Fish Farm at Eshisiru, Lurambi Sub-County.

The event was also attended by Governors; H.E Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, H.E Dr. Wilbur Otichillo, H.E Patrick Khaemba and H.E Wycliffe Wangamati, Deputy Governors led by host DG Prof. Philip Museve Kutima, MCAs led by Speaker Hon. Morris Buluma, CECMs, Chief Officers, Directors and other senior Government officers.

~ County Government of Kakamega ~