The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Mr. Salim Mvurya alongside three Principal Secretaries and a host of Director Generals from the Ministry were today hosted in Turkana county by H.E. Jeremiah Lomorukai.
The visiting delegation who were on a working tour to Turkana County held a series of engagements with the community in Kalokol and Naduat trading centers.
The Governor highlighted his development agenda regarding blue economy in Turkana as well as sharing gaps and areas of possible collaboration with the national government.
“As a county government, we are mandated to ensure sustainable exploitation, utilization, management and development of fishery sector for posterity,” he said.
He added that, “in order to ensure sustainable use, we have developed a county fisheries policy to guide in the development and management of the fisheries resource.”
Despite the interventions, he cited some challenges hindering the sector. They include limited research data on the lake in terms of fish species, less cold rooms for preservation and insecurity along the maritime border with Ethiopia.
On mining, the governor cited the lack of royalties and exploitation by brokers. In his closing remarks, he urged the CS to consider rehabilitating and operationalizing the Kalokol fish factory.
The Deputy Governor asked locals to take advantage of Kalokol and Kataboi Vocational Training Centers to equip themselves with requisite skills for the job market.
Hon. Joseph Namuar echoed the Governor’s call for revamping the fish processing plant in Kalokol. Former CS John Munyes lauded the governor’s lobbying ability at the national stating that it will reap huge dividends for the people.
CS Mvurya offered that, “fishing in Lake Turkana is at 30,000metric tonnes of fish is annually. This can be improved if we move from subsistence to commercial fishing,” he added.
Regarding mining, the CS said that all illegal mining activities will be shut down. He added that, mining activities should benefit the people of Turkana first. At the tail end of the Kalokol function the Governor and the CS flagged off a rescue boat provided by the Kenya Maritime Authority.
Senior government officials present included Principal Secretaries Geoffrey Kaituko (Shipping and Maritime Affairs) and Betsy Muthoni (Blue Economy and Fisheries). Chief Officers Ezekiel Etelej (Livestock) and Majuma Etaan (Tourism) as well as Chief of Staff Peter Loyapan.
Members of the County Assembly Michael Epem (Kalokol Ward), Mathew Alany (Kang’atotha Ward), Michael Emase (Lapur Ward) and David Ekod (Kerio Ward). County Commissioner Julius Kavita and members of the county security team.
