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President William Ruto is set to officially commission a state-of-the-art fish market in Homa Bay on Friday, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s blue economy agenda.
The state-of-the-art facility located at Koginga Beach along Lake Victoria will offer a clean, organized, and dignified space for fish handling and trading for over 2000 fishmongers in the county and its environs.
The market comes with a cold room storage facilities to reduce spoilage and support value addition, thereby increasing traders’ income and boosting both the county and national revenue.
Commenting on this milestone, Lilian Kieni, Director of Urban Development at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, said: “This new fish market has a dedicated fish processing area that will play a key role in harnessing maritime resources for economic empowerment.”
The market will give fish traders who were operating in shacks and had no place to store their fish, which is perishable, a decent place to do business.
“We want to assure all traders, especially mama samaki, and other small traders who we are working to ensure they have access to decent and well-serviced trading areas for their day-to-day activities.” Kieni noted.
The modern market will feature: Hygienic trading spaces, retail stalls and a food court, fish processing and storage facilities (cold/dry rooms) and gutting and scaling areas.
Additional amenities include a mooring deck and fish landing shed for fishermen, stores for processed fish, washrooms, kitchens, and sanitation systems.
A high-level water tower and underground water tank to ensure a reliable water supply is also available in the newly built market.
It is fitted with adequate lighting for the market and surrounding areas as well as an ICT hub to support digital operations and financial recordkeeping.
The facility has mother-and-child facilities and PWD-friendly access ramps.
This initiative is part of the government’s wider plan to formalize informal trade and promote inclusive economic growth by providing dignified workspaces across the country.
